Oh what an exciting Saturday we have coming up. # 17 Oklahoma State takes on # 3 Missouri. # 11 Florida takes on # 4 LSU. Topping the list, however, is a battle of the Big Twelve Top 5 as # 5 Texas heads into Dallas, TX for the annual Red River Shootout against the # 1 team in the nation, Oklahoma.
The Sooners will have a chance Saturday to prove their number 1 status against the Longhorns in a game that will definitely shake up the top five teams in the rankings. This matchup is so even it's ridiculous. Oklahoma is averaging 49 points per game on offense and are only giving up 14 ppg. Texas on the other hand is averaging 47 ppg on offense and giving up only 11 ppg.
Both offenses have the potential to put up a 50 spot on the scoreboard (which each team has done three times this season). Quarterback Sam Bradford for Oklahoma has put up slightly better numbers than Texas's quarterback Colt McCoy, throwing 18 touchdowns and only three INTs to McCoy's 16 touchdowns and three picks. Both team's rushing games are stout as well. However, while Texas has gone with a group of five different players carrying the ball for 874 yards and 13 touchdowns with Colt McCoy leading the way with almost 400 of those yards, OU has used the trio of Demarco Murray, Chris Brown, and Mossis Madu to rack up 930 yards and 14 touchdowns.
As close as these teams are statistically, this game is going to come down to three key matchups. First, who can win the battle of the offensive and defensive lines? Whichever team dominates the line of scrimmage is going to open up the rushing game and give their quarterback ample amount of time to find a receiver downfield. Defensively, that team will stop the run and force the quarterback to make throws he should not make resulting in turnovers or punts. Next, which defense can stop the opposing team from getting in the endzone? Both squads put up an average of about seven touchdowns per game. If one of the defenses can come up with a couple big stops, that team should take this game. Finally, which Heisman candidate quarterback can raise their level of play when it counts? Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford both have similar numbers, but who has the better poise in clutch situations?
After taking everything in, the edge in this game has to go to Texas. Yes, Oklahoma has been unstoppable this year, but their defense gave up 26 points to Cincinnati while Texas has shut down every team they have played including Big Twelve rival Colorado in Boulder (who beat Oklahoma last year by the way), holding them to just two touchdowns. Also, Sam Bradford is predominately a pocket passer. True, OU has only given up three sacks in the first five games of the season, but Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp is going to bring a different level of pressure. While Oklahoma will probably do the same, Colt McCoy, when he senses pressure, is not afraid to get outside the pocket always keeping his eyes downfield until the last second for an open target.
Regardless who comes out on top, in the words of legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson, Whoa Nellie! It's going to be a barnburner Saturday as the # 1 team in the nation Oklahoma Sooners square off against the # 5 Texas Longhorns in the annual Red River Shootout, what is sure to become an instant classic!
The Sooners will have a chance Saturday to prove their number 1 status against the Longhorns in a game that will definitely shake up the top five teams in the rankings. This matchup is so even it's ridiculous. Oklahoma is averaging 49 points per game on offense and are only giving up 14 ppg. Texas on the other hand is averaging 47 ppg on offense and giving up only 11 ppg.
Both offenses have the potential to put up a 50 spot on the scoreboard (which each team has done three times this season). Quarterback Sam Bradford for Oklahoma has put up slightly better numbers than Texas's quarterback Colt McCoy, throwing 18 touchdowns and only three INTs to McCoy's 16 touchdowns and three picks. Both team's rushing games are stout as well. However, while Texas has gone with a group of five different players carrying the ball for 874 yards and 13 touchdowns with Colt McCoy leading the way with almost 400 of those yards, OU has used the trio of Demarco Murray, Chris Brown, and Mossis Madu to rack up 930 yards and 14 touchdowns.
As close as these teams are statistically, this game is going to come down to three key matchups. First, who can win the battle of the offensive and defensive lines? Whichever team dominates the line of scrimmage is going to open up the rushing game and give their quarterback ample amount of time to find a receiver downfield. Defensively, that team will stop the run and force the quarterback to make throws he should not make resulting in turnovers or punts. Next, which defense can stop the opposing team from getting in the endzone? Both squads put up an average of about seven touchdowns per game. If one of the defenses can come up with a couple big stops, that team should take this game. Finally, which Heisman candidate quarterback can raise their level of play when it counts? Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford both have similar numbers, but who has the better poise in clutch situations?
After taking everything in, the edge in this game has to go to Texas. Yes, Oklahoma has been unstoppable this year, but their defense gave up 26 points to Cincinnati while Texas has shut down every team they have played including Big Twelve rival Colorado in Boulder (who beat Oklahoma last year by the way), holding them to just two touchdowns. Also, Sam Bradford is predominately a pocket passer. True, OU has only given up three sacks in the first five games of the season, but Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp is going to bring a different level of pressure. While Oklahoma will probably do the same, Colt McCoy, when he senses pressure, is not afraid to get outside the pocket always keeping his eyes downfield until the last second for an open target.
Regardless who comes out on top, in the words of legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson, Whoa Nellie! It's going to be a barnburner Saturday as the # 1 team in the nation Oklahoma Sooners square off against the # 5 Texas Longhorns in the annual Red River Shootout, what is sure to become an instant classic!
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