Tulsa World: OU-Texas Matchups

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OU-Texas Matchups

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP file

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 10/10/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 10/10/2008 2:57 AM

QUARTERBACK

Given an experienced offensive line, Colt McCoy is playing better than ever for the Longhorns, completing 79 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. McCoy averages 256 yards per game, but also averages 63 yards per game on the ground. Sam Bradford , too, is playing better than ever, operating the Sooners' no-huddle attack with a .726 completion percentage, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Edge: Even

RUNNING BACK

The Sooners have two proven backs in DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown sharing time. Murray is among the Big 12 leaders with 431 yards and 5 TDs, while Brown has 313 yards and 6 TDs. Texas hasn't established a Big 12 running game yet, with four players failing to lock up the spot. Chris Ogbonnaya was effective and turned in big plays last week at Colorado.

Edge: OU

RECEIVER

Manuel Johnson (26 catches, 468 yards, 5 TDs) and Juaquin Iglesias (23-401-5) are seniors and three-year starters who are reliable short and dangerous deep. Add Ryan Broyles and the group is lethal. Quan Cosby (32-416-3) has big-game experience and productivity, and Jordan Shipley (24-368-7) has hurt the Sooners each of the last two years.

Edge: OU

TIGHT END

Nobody's better than OU's Jermaine Gresham , who caught two TDs on the 'Horns last season. Gresham has 278 receiving yards and 4 TDs and hasn't been used lately. OU's three-TE set hasn't been as good as last year, but it's effective. Texas doesn't use its TE in the passing game, but may try to use two to get its running game going.

Edge: OU

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Sooners may have the best offensive line in the country. LT Phil Loadholt, LG Duke Robinson, C Jon Cooper, RG Brandon Walker and RT Trent Williams have punished defenses, but more importantly, have played with discipline. UT was bad here last year, but is better now because four of the five returned.

Edge: OU

DEFENSIVE LINE

Big question mark for the Sooners: Is Gerald McCoy healthy? Is DeMarcus Granger healthy? If they are, OU could dominate the middle. Add Big 12 preseason MVP Auston English and potential star Jeremy Beal , and the Sooners might have a huge advantage. UT's defensive strength is its front four, particularly DE Brian Orakpo and DT Roy Miller . DT Lamarr Houston and DE Henry Melton are also experienced and talented.

Edge: OU

LINEBACKERS

Ryan Reynolds has been playing better than ever for the Sooners, including a 100 percent grade last week. Travis Lewis is arguably the Sooners' best playmaker, and Keenan Clayton is playing so well he never comes off the field. UT's Sergio Kindle and Roddrick Muckelroy have been serviceable players, but Rashad Bobino in the middle (40 starts) makes the Texas defense go.

Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Longhorn cornerback Ryan Palmer was the only experienced DB to start the season, and he's been mostly reliable so far. Texas safeties Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon are redshirt freshmen, and CB Chykie Brown is a sophomore first-year starter. OU had issues at CB, too, with Dom Franks and Brian Jackson , until Bob Stoops took over their instruction. Lendy Holmes and Nic Harris give the Sooners a huge edge.

Edge: OU

SPECIAL TEAMS

Oklahoma's kickoff coverage teams have been troublesome, starting with the kick and ending with the tackle. Sooner PK Jimmy Stevens has but one career FG, and has missed two PATs. The OU return game has been tepid. Texas return man Quan Cosby is dangerous but hasn't gotten loose yet. UT's Justin Tucker has 15 touchbacks in 39 kickoffs. PK Hunter Lawrence has four FGs.

Edge: Texas

COACHING

Bob Stoops has won this game six out of nine times. Mack Brown , on the other end of Stoops' boot, felt desperate enough to change his fortunes that he hired Will Muschamp from Auburn and made him the highest-paid DC in the country. With Stoops coaching CBs, Brent Venables' defense has only gotten better. OU likes to score, and loves to score against Texas; will Kevin Wilson's switch to the no-huddle be OU's nitrous boost to the end zone?

Edge: OU

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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