Tulsa World: OSU, UT exceed expectations

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OSU, UT exceed expectations
Few thought the Cowboys or Longhorns would be such strong contenders.

OSU defensive back Terrance Anderson celebrates a tackle alongside defensive lineman Jeremiah Price during the Cowboys' win over Baylor on Saturday. OSU's defense is one of the cornerstones of the team's early success. Stephen Holman/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/24/2008 2:13 AM
Last Modified: 10/24/2008 2:55 AM

Few thought the Cowboys or Longhorns would be such strong contenders.

When college football preseason magazines arrived on bookstore shelves in June, Texas was viewed as a distant No. 2 behind defending Big 12 South champion Oklahoma.

The consensus seemed to be that while the Longhorns were equipped for a nice season, they probably weren't genuine national contenders.

One national magazine predicted a fifth-place South finish for Oklahoma State.

In the Big 12 preseason media poll, OU was an overwhelming choice to repeat as the South champion. Texas barely edged Texas Tech for the No. 2 spot. From a panel of 51 media members, OU received 49 first-place votes. Texas received two. OSU was fourth in the preseason poll.

But when the initial Bowl Championship Series standings were released last week, Texas was No. 1 and Oklahoma State was No. 6.

Both teams are 7-0, and both have exceeded expectations entering Saturday's 2:30 p.m., ABC-televised showdown in Austin.

"We weren't focused on what other people thought. We were focused on ourselves," said Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy, who has completed 81 percent of his passes, connecting for 19 touchdowns against only three interceptions. "We are very excited about our season so far, but we know these next games are not easy, starting this week with Okie State. They're a great football team.

"We've buried these last seven games. All of our focus now is on Oklahoma State."

The Longhorns, also No. 1 in the AP Top 25, rocketed to the top on the strength of a 45-35 conquest of the Sooners, and followed that with a 56-31 annihilation of Missouri.

"This is a different Texas team than I've seen the last couple of years," former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer said last Sunday during Fox Sports' televised unveiling of the BCS standings.

On the same day that Texas beat OU, OSU won 28-23 at then-unbeaten Missouri. The Cowboys, No. 7 in the AP poll, are 7-0 for the first time since 1945.

"We're not the finished product, but we're making strides," OSU coach Mike Gundy said.

OSU's surge to national relevance is the result of three components: a rushing attack that ranks fifth nationally, the pass-catching and punt-return brilliance of Dez Bryant, and a significantly improved defense that has forced 12 turnovers over the last four games.

The 2007 Cowboys were 101st nationally in total defense, but Gundy saw signs of progress when OSU mashed Indiana 49-33 in the Insight Bowl.

"Our defense played very well. They developed some confidence in that game," Gundy said. "We almost hit a home run with our junior-college (recruits). They've given us some depth and speed and maturity."

OSU's current total-defense ranking is No. 47.

"(The defense) has alleviated a lot of pressure on us," Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson said. "It gives us an extra boost, after they force a turnover, that we can go punch it in on the next few plays."

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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