Sat, Nov 22 2008
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Published October 10, 2008 07:48 pm - OU-Texas rivalry bigger than ever DALLAS (AP) — If the Texas-Oklahoma series were only about the sights, sounds and smells of their annual matchup at the Cotton Bowl, it would still be a lot of fun.
It’s special, though, because on top of a great environment there’s a long tradition of high-caliber, high-stakes games — and Saturday’s should be a doozy. This will be the 103rd meeting between these Red River rivals, but only the 10th time each team comes in with a ranking that can be counted on one hand: the Sooners at No. 1, the Longhorns at No. 5. The crowd will be bigger than ever, topping 92,000. That breaks down to an additional 8,000 folks in burnt orange on one side of the 50-yard line and an extra 8,000 in crimson and cream on the other side. Decades later, players remember the explosion of those colors when they walk down the tunnel and onto the field, and now it should be even more spectacular. “I’m ready for Saturday already,” said Texas quarterback Colt McCoy — on Monday. Both quarterbacks know the intensity of this rivalry and the joy of winning, each having done so as freshman. McCoy did it two years ago, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford last October. Now they’re back and leading two of the nation’s most potent offenses. Whoever wins will have his team in prime position for the Big 12 title and for a national championship. They might also go home as the Heisman Trophy front-runner. “It’s more than just bragging rights,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. Heck, even the coin toss will be important. The Longhorns are outscoring foes 52-9 in the first quarter and 132-29 in first halves. As impressive as that is, Texas coach Mack Brown has to note, “They’ve been better.” The Sooners are winning first quarters 103-3, a number so lopsided it looks like a misprint. Just ask Michigan fans; their team has 103 points all season. Another 22 major-college teams don’t even have that many. Oklahoma does it with a no-huddle scheme that keeps defenses from shuffling personnel and with Bradford picking on the guys coaches would’ve taken out. Protected by an offensive line featuring four seniors, he throws to receivers Manuel Johnson, Juaquin Iglesias and Ryan Broyles, or tight end Jermaine Gresham, or gets the ball to running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. The result: OU is racking up 49.6 points and 540 yards per game, and Bradford has the second-best passer rating in the country. “We trust him so much,” Stoops said. The Sooners defense is darn good, too. All you need to know is they’re allowing 159 yards passing per game, a teeny number considering opposing offenses are playing catch-up from the start. 
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