Tulsa World: OU, OSU face big challenges

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OU, OSU face big challenges

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 10/6/2008 2:03 AM
Last Modified: 10/6/2008 2:08 AM

OKLAHOMA HAS been cruising through five games. So has Oklahoma State. No more cruise control for the Sooners and Cowboys.

The top-ranked Sooners and 17th-ranked Cowboys face the biggest hurdles of the season with dates this week against opponents ranked in the top five.

OU has the grudge match with Texas in Dallas on Saturday morning and then OSU goes to third-ranked Missouri on Saturday night as the state teams look to solidify spots on the national stage.

"There are a lot of really good players in this game on both sides of the ball," said OU coach Bob Stoops on his Sunday teleconference.

The Sooners are favored to win but the Longhorns, who have been among the surprises on the national scene thus far, figure to be a struggle for Oklahoma as always.

OSU will be a clear underdog on the road against the Tigers, who many believe may have the most explosive offense in the country.

Tulsa will not have that type of challenge on the road at SMU. The Mustangs, one of the worst teams in the nation in recent years, are 1-5 (the only victory a squeaker over Texas State).

So far, the state's three major college football teams are 15-0.

"It's tremendous that everyone is off to such a good start," said OSU coach Mike Gundy on his Sunday teleconference. "It's tremendous for our state. It says a lot about the high school football in this state."

Certainly, none of the victories by Oklahoma schools have been stunning. The three schools have been favored

in all 15 games.

Now, at least for the two Big 12 schools in our state, the struggle to stay unbeaten gets much more difficult.

"It is always exciting, the tradition and history," said Stoops of the Red River Rivalry.

Certainly, there will be plenty at stake. It is always a big game, regardless of the records.

It was big a year ago and both teams were coming off losses.

But this is different. Both teams are unbeaten. The winner will go to the head of the line in the chase for the national championship game.

"It is an incredible atmosphere," said Stoops.

Oklahoma would appear to have a slight edge. The Sooners have dominated five opponents with a diverse offense and improved defense.

But Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, it could be argued, is playing as well as any quarterback in the nation. And, Texas never lacks for talent.

The Longhorns are coming off an impressive road victory at Colorado. OU won easily at Baylor.

"We've done pretty well as a team," said Stoops.

Oklahoma State will be an underdog for the first time this season. Mizzou has been as good as any team in the nation so far this season. It has a signature victories over rivals Illinois and Nebraska. The Missouri victory at Lincoln was its first in 30 years.

"Day in and day out Missouri's offense is as good as anyone's," said Gundy. "Oklahoma has run up some big numbers. (Texas) Tech has run up some big numbers.

"But they (Tigers) would be able to argue they are as good as anybody."

For the Cowboys, it is an opportunity. A victory would probably vault OSU into the top 10 and into the discussion among the nation's best teams.

Most don't expect OSU's offense to be able to keep up with Mizzou's high-flying offense that features not one but two legitimate Hesiman Trophy candidates.

"We need to go up to Missouri and turn it loose and play hard," said Gundy. By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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