Tulsa World: OU: 3 Storylines

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OU: 3 Storylines

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/8/2008 2:14 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2008 3:26 AM

A look at three things to watch in today's OU-Texas A&M contest.

Hold that line

Even with DE Auston English out, Oklahoma should have a decided advantage up front, both offensively and defensively. The Aggies are last in the Big 12 in rushing offense, averaging just 110.7 yards per game, and next-to-last in rushing defense, allowing 202. It is unlikely, especially with leading rusher Mike Goodson out, that A&M can get its ground game going (even if Cyrus Gray pops a couple of long ones), and it is unlikely the Aggies will put up much resistance to an OU rushing attack that seems to have found its legs.

Play special

Bob Stoops' Sooners always seem to need some kind of late magic to win at Kyle Field. If they do this year, will they get anything positive from the special teams? Kickoffs were troublesome all season before last week, when Matt Moreland found the end zone five times on 10 kicks. Placekicking remains problematic, with Jimmy Stevens' fourth missed PAT. Can the Sooners count on him for a late field goal? Punting got a little scary last week, too. One huge mistake at a place like this can really hurt.

Keep it moving

Oklahoma's offense has been largely unstoppable this season, especially early. OU has outscored opponents 180-27 in the first quarter, 137-82 in the second. The Aggies, meanwhile, have a defense that allows almost 33 points per game. A&M has been particularly bad at home, where Arkansas State (415 yards), Miami (398), Kansas State (449), Texas Tech (561) and even Colorado (392) have had success. Only Army (284), which ranks 110th nationally in total offense, didn't bust out (though A&M needed a late stop to win 21-17). By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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