OKLAHOMA AND Texas are not the teams we expected back in August.

The Sooners come in twice beaten and ranked 20th. The Longhorns are ranked third but have struggled against a lightweight schedule.

Injuries have robbed OU of many of its playmakers. Texas has been limited by injuries to its running backs.

Still, things seem to be stabilizing for both teams as the game looms on Saturday.

Especially huge is the return of OU quarterback Sam Bradford. The Heisman winner played his first full game in nearly nine months in last week's rout of Baylor.

"If I had not been told that Sam was hurt, I couldn't have seen any difference on Saturday," said Texas coach Mack Brown.

Bradford threw for nearly 400 yards. He threw 49 passes in the game and then said he felt fine after the game. It was just the kind of return Oklahoma needed.

It has been a season of adjustments, trying to mix and match players on an offense wrecked by injuries.

"We've had a lot of adjustments to do on offense," said OU coach Bob Stoops. "That's where most of the injuries have been. It has made it more challenging. Other guys have had to step up. It has been a little inconsistent."

But, it is better with Bradford back.

"He had an excellent day," said Stoops.