OU football notebook: Preparations continue

BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
1/02/13 at 3:39 AM

Oklahoma went through a Tuesday afternoon workout at Cowboys Stadium in preparation for Friday's Cotton Bowl matchup against Texas A&M.

"We did Wednesday-type work, did some work against each other again." OU coach Bob Stoops said. "I feel good about it, feel like the kids practiced well and nobody's hurt."

The team drew visits from former players DeMarco Murray, Travis Lewis, Travis Wilson and Tony Casillas, who is doing work for Sooner Sports TV.

Texas A&M worked out at Highland Park High School's indoor facility.

"We've moved on to getting ready for game time," Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "... Moving over to Cowboys Stadium tomorrow, we'll have a different kind of juice just being in that stadium. It's going to help us a little bit and keep us focused."

The Sooners had a Tuesday team dinner and the evening off. Stoops will join Sumlin in a final pre-game press conference on Wednesday morning.

Around the end: Texas A&M has a pair of the nation's top offensive tackles in Luke Joeckel (left tackle) and Jake Matthews (right tackle).

The good news for the Sooners may be they have familiarity with the juniors after already playing against them in 2010 and 2011.

"Those two guys, they can keep people from closing in," OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said during a Tuesday news conference. "They both do a great job of keeping people in front of them and make space around them.

"As a unit on their football team, their offensive line is probably their greatest strength. It all starts up front on any football team."

Ready to play: Oklahoma will have had a 33-day break between games when it takes the field against Texas A&M on Friday.

It's been a long wait.

"That is the worst part," OU defensive end David King said. "You sit around and you're watching all the other bowl games happen, you say 'Man, I wish our bowl game was today.'

"However, I understand that we have to wait for a reason, and when the time comes we will be ready to play."

Fast team: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was asked what stands out when looking at Oklahoma's defense.

"They are athletic in how they fly around and fly to the ball," the Heisman Trophy winner said. "The athletes they have on their field, they stick out just like that.

"As soon as you turn on the film, you see how fast they are and how athletic they are and how they jump off the page."

Associated Images:

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin led his team through workouts at Highland Park High School. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World