Oklahoma Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. – After having its 39-game home winning streak snapped two weeks ago, the Sooners are struggling at home against Texas A&M:

Turning point: The Sooners appeared to be firmly in control, about to take a 10-point lead into halftime. Instead on third-and-9, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill bought time by scrambling left, then sailed a pass downfield against the wind to Ryan Swope, who had snuck past linebacker Travis Lewis, for a 79-yard touchdown.

Best player in the half: Out of the “Bell-Dozer” formation, third-string quarterback Blake Bell has six carries, which have resulted in four first downs and a touchdown. The Sooners installed the offense last week to have the threat of a running quarterback on certain downs. Bell had a rushing touchdown against Kansas State last weekend, too.

What Oklahoma needs to do: Get quarterback Landry Jones and the passing game going. Outside a 57-yard connection to Ryan Broyles, Jones has had very little success throwing the ball. The wind, with up to 32-mile-per-hour gusts, has been a big factor. But if the Sooners can hit some passes in the second half, they should be able to pull this one out.

Oklahoma sophomore running back Roy Finch knew his opportunity was going to come. Despite not seeing the field for most of the first half of the season, Finch tried to stay positive.

It’s working as not only is Finch seeing more time on the field, but he earned the Lunch Pail award last week. The award is given to the player who prepares best for the week.

“It’s my first award, and I'd rather have that than the Most Explosive award or something like that because it’s about preparation,” Finch said. “The preparation award is one of the most fulfilling awards you can get as a player.”

Finch was already starting to become a bigger part of the Sooners offense, and he’s going to have to play a bigger role with Dominique Whaley lost for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

Finch rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown and also had seven receptions for 69 yards in OU’s 58-17 win at Kansas State.

“I never doubted myself. I knew I had the talent, but it just took some time,” Finch said. “It’s been tough. I had my days when I was down, but I would talk to my teammates about weathering the storm.

“You don’t want to give up. You have to keep pressing forward and working and the breakthrough will come.”

It says a lot about Finch that he was able to use the constructive criticism from the coaches and make himself better. A productive Finch is going to pay big dividends for OU the rest of the season.

Jake Trotter answers readers' questions about Oklahoma football in his mailbag every Friday. Got a question for Jake? Submit it here.

Joel in Lewisville, Texas, writes: You mentioned on Twitter that you thought this week’s game against A&M would be tougher than everyone thinks. Why?

Jake Trotter: Joel, my first reason is that Texas A&M way better than its 5-3 record indicates. Talent wise, this is a Top 15 team. Also, Texas A&M’s offense is the kind that can potentially give OU problems. The Aggies have pretty much run on anyone, which sets up their play-action pass. That formula has worked on OU defenses in the past. Lastly, OU losing at Texas Tech a couple of weeks ago should give A&M a little confidence that it can hang with the Sooners in Norman, a place that hasn’t been kind to the Aggies.

Jamie in Massachusetts writes: Do you see linebacker Tom Wort being an NFL player?

Jake Trotter: Wort is showing this season that he is capable of playing at the next level. When healthy, he’s been one of OU’s three or four best players on defense. Wort is a sure tackler, and strong up the middle on the blitz. He won’t be a first round draft pick, but Wort could end up being a solid inside linebacker in the NFL.

Michael in London writes: Who do you think will be favored in the Bedlam game?

Jake Trotter: At the moment, the projected line for the game is a pick 'em. I think Oklahoma State has a better chance to end up being favored because the game is in Stillwater. But barring a key injury, I can’t see the line for this game being more than a couple points one way or the other.

Joe in Tulsa writes: I got in a debate with a co-worker and need your help settling it. Does OU need OSU to be undefeated at Bedlam in order for OU to get into the National Championship?

Jake Trotter: OU doesn’t necessarily need OSU to be undefeated, but it certainly helps. A lot of that depends on what else happens. But if Oregon runs the table, and the Alabama-LSU loser keeps it close this weekend, the Sooners will need all the help they can get, and that includes the opportunity of beating an undefeated OSU team.

Ken in Dallas writes: Is there anything we can do to get a plus one game implemented? I love the BCS and the way the regular season is a playoff. But there could end up being a few one loss teams (like OU) that deserve a chance.

Jake Trotter: It will be years before we might see an expanded playoff. But a plus one has support among people who matter in college football. My guess is that within the next 5-10 years, we’ll have a plus one format in the BCS.

Tanner in Norman writes: Who do we root for, Alabama or LSU this weekend? What gives OU the best chance of getting to the national title?

Jake Trotter: This is a different question than, who would OU rather play in the national title (the answer is Alabama, since LSU in New Orleans would be like a home game)? Essentially, OU fans should root against the team they think is more likely to lose a second time. That's because the Alabama-LSU loser still has a decent chance of being ranked ahead of OU in the BCS. Looking at the schedules, Alabama goes to Mississippi State and Auburn to end the season. LSU plays No. 7 Arkansas, but in Baton Rouge. I think it's more likely that Alabama loses at Auburn than LSU loses at home to the Razorbacks. So in other words, root for LSU this weekend.

Brad in Norman writes: Any chance that running back Dominique Whaley can get an extra year of eligibility, considering he didn't play against Tech and only one play against K-State?

Jake Trotter: Unfortunately, no. To qualify for a medical hardship, a player has to appear in fewer than 30 percent of his team’s games, and none after the midpoint of the season. Whaley appeared in 42 percent of OU’s games this season, rendering him eligible for a waiver.

Oklahoma 41, Texas A&M 35
The Aggies finally show some mental toughness, hanging with the Sooners into the fourth quarter. But after allowing A&M to move up and down the field most of the game, the OU defense buttons up in the fourth quarter with a couple of key stops.

Pick to click: A week after nailing a 53-yarder, kicker Michael Hunnicutt comes through again with two critical field goals to help push OU past the Aggies.
- Jake Trotter

Oklahoma 45, Texas A&M 31
The Sooners hold a comfortable lead for most of the game but never really pull away from the Aggies. Texas A&M's balance allows them to create multiple big plays but Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles are outstanding and Roy Finch makes two game-changing runs. And OU's defense returns to its turnover-causing ways with three forced turnovers.

Pick to click: Ronnell Lewis shows why he makes NFL scouts drool using his athleticism to get to Aggie quarterback Ryan Tannehill and run down running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael. He finishes with 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in OU's win.
- Brandon Chatmon

Oklahoma 38, Texas A&M 22
There is just something about playing in the daytime that fires up OU this season. In the two previous day games, combined score of 113-34 and this will be another solid outing. Expect the OU crowd to play a huge role after practically being called out following the loss to Texas Tech. Crowd noise will help create turnovers in the first half and Sooners capitalize.

Pick to click: Ryan Broyles gets all the attention and Jaz Reynolds will have more eyes on him than ever before after last week so look out for Kenny Stills in this one. OU wide receivers should have a banner day and Stills is going to lead the charge.
- Bob Przybylo

There has been a lot of talk about how OU is using its tight ends in the passing game. One person you won’t find complaining about the offense is senior tight end James Hanna.

“It seems to be a big deal to everybody else but not so much to me about how much I get the ball,” Hanna said. “I’m just happy we had a good game, getting a couple of balls just makes it that much better.”

The numbers don’t indicate that OU is using Hanna any less. The difference this season has been the fact that Hanna isn’t finding the end zone as often.

Hanna only had 18 catches for 292 yards in 2010 but seven of those were touchdowns. Hanna has 16 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Hanna had three catches for 59 yards in the 58-17 win against Kansas State. OU’s tight ends have proven to be most effective in the red zone. It wasn’t Hanna that scored, but Trent Ratterree had a 12-yard touchdown reception against the Wildcats.

“He’s one of my best friends on the team so I was definitely happy for him,” Hanna said.

SoonerNation has released the latest edition of the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting for SoonerNation subscribers only.

As with any good piece of intelligence, everything that is reported in Sooner Intel stays on the There’s Only One forum. Sometimes some of the information is so sensitive and for Sooner fans’ eyes only, that it simply doesn’t need to be passed on beyond this thread.

Some things discussed:

- The latest on WR Dorial Green-Beckham and OU's secret weapon
- LB Brian Nance talks about why he won't be visiting this weekend
- Is Derrick Woods going to play receiver at the next level?
- LSU commit Avery Johnson is doing his research on the Sooners
- Three storylines to watch this weekend when recruits visit for OU-Texas A&M

Check out the Sooner Intel here.

Sometimes it's something simple, like walking on the practice field, strictly forbidden in the must-hustle zone at Oklahoma. Maybe it's a missed question in a team meeting.

"When you’re not paying attention to every single thing that you do, it’ll show up on the field," said Sooners receiver Jaz Reynolds.

Lost focus can cost teams dearly. No one knows this more than the juggernaut in Norman, which inexplicably fell behind Texas Tech at home, 31-7, before losing, 41-38.

Oklahoma's team captains called a players-only meeting in the week that followed the loss to correct that, among other things.

"They felt the lack of focus that was out there and they brought it to our attention and made sure it doesn’t happen anymore," Reynolds said.

Their message was received, teammates said. A few days later, they proved it, emphatically responding to another part of the leaders' message.

"We should go out there and when you get hit in the mouth, keep playing," Reynolds recalled the leaders saying. "Everything’s not going to go right, but you’ve got to just keep playing."

Against Kansas State last Saturday, the Wildcats turned a 14-0 deficit into a 17-14 lead to seize control of the game. Oklahoma's answer? Shutting out K-State over the game's final 42 minutes to outscore the Wildcats, 44-0 in the 58-17 win.

"The offense complemented the defense, and the defense complemented us," Reynolds said. "We played as a complete team on Saturday."

Message not only received, but applied. Oklahoma was at its most dangerous, but that will have to continue this week. Texas A&M might have more losses than Kansas State, but the Aggies also have more talent and would love a statement win of their own.

"They’ve been potent all year when you look at their production, run and pass," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "They do a great job running the football and then everything sets up off of that; their play-action passes, then they’ll isolate their receivers different ways. Very good personnel, very good skill people and they do a really good job of using all of them. It’s a tough task keeping them down."

The Aggies have shown the ability to dominate two top-10 teams, opening up 18- and 17-point leads against Oklahoma State and Arkansas, though second-half collapses put blemishes on their record.

The league's No. 2 rushing attack has its two best backs, with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael combining for 1,515 yards in eight games, both on pace to top 1,000 yards.

For the Sooners, though, winning this game is about maintaining that focus for another week and climbing back into the Big 12 race, where they still hold their own destiny.

"Not all criticism is bad for you," Reynolds said. "You can get better from it, and that’s what we took from it."

For the Sooners, the challenge will be keeping that focus and playing as a complete team for one more week. ... And then another next week.

Time for a glance at this weekend.

I'll have my predictions up in the morning, but until then, let's hear your picks in the comments.

Here's when and where you can expect this weekend's games (all times ET):

Texas Tech at No. 21 Texas (Noon, FX): Tech is coming off its worst performance of the season, a 34-point home loss to Iowa State, while the Longhorns are basking in a dominant defensive performance in a 43-0 win over Kansas. The Longhorns beat Tech in Lubbock during last year's 5-7 season, but Tech QB Seth Doege will try to get back on track after a frustrating night. We'll see if David Ash continues to be in the driver's seat of the QB spot at Texas.

Kansas at Iowa State (12:30 p.m., Fox College Sports): If Kansas is going to get a conference win, this looks like its best shot. The Cyclones are riding high, though, after a dominant win over Texas Tech. Jared Barnett will make his second career start after a big night in Lubbock, but the Kansas offense will try to rebound from the loss to Texas last week, which featured just 46 yards of total offense.

Texas A&M at No. 6 Oklahoma (3:30 p.m., ABC): Oklahoma will try to avenge last year's loss to the Aggies on Saturday and restart a home winning streak that was snapped at a nation-leading 39 the last time out. What once looked like a showdown that could tip the balance of the Big 12 looks like Texas A&M looking for a signature win, toting three losses in eight games to Norman.

Missouri at Baylor (7 p.m., Fox Sports Net): Both teams badly need a win to get one step closer to bowl eligibility, and this will only be Robert Griffin III's second career start against Missouri. The last time RG3 started against the Tigers, Chase Daniel was the opposing quarterback. Mizzou will bring the league's leading rusher, Henry Josey, to Waco, trying to ride some momentum from last week's win over Texas A&M.

No. 14 Kansas State at No. 3 Oklahoma State (8 p.m., ABC): Kansas State's late-season grind continues with another game against a high-flying offense and a top 10 team. The Wildcats lost by 41 at home to Oklahoma, and will face a similar challenge on the road this week. Oklahoma State's fast-paced, high-octane offense will match up against the Wildcats' ball control attack, and the pass defense will look for redemption after giving up 505 yards to Landry Jones last week.

Week 9 wasn't my best, but it always gets a lot tougher in conference play.

Last week: 3-2 (.600)

Overall: 42-12 (.777)

Texas Tech 31, No. 21 Texas 27: Tech showed what it's capable of two weeks ago against Oklahoma, and Texas hasn't dealt well with dynamic offenses. The Red Raiders are getting healthier and healthier, and will pose major problems. Seth Doege and the Red Raiders are angry, and this challenge looks a lot different than Kansas. A word of advice, Horns: Look out for that slip screen.

Iowa State 38, Kansas 28: All of a sudden, there are major questions about Kansas' offense, but the Jayhawks will get back on track this week. Once again, though, the defense will keep the Jayhawks from capitalizing on their best chance to grab a conference win. Jared Barnett continues to mature, and Darius Reynolds gets back to early season form with a big game.

No. 6 Oklahoma 45, Texas A&M 21: I went back on a fearless prediction once. Not this time. You wouldn't like the Sooners when they're angry, and this team isn't real happy about what happened the last time they played on their home field. Oklahoma protects the quarterback better than anybody, and Landry Jones is smart enough to get the ball out to prevent putting the offense in holes. Texas A&M's poor pass defense is exposed, and the Sooners roll.

Missouri 34, Baylor 30: Missouri has by far the Big 12's best rushing offense in conference play. Baylor has the league's worst rush defense. That'll be too much for Robert Griffin III to overcome, though he'll get back on track with a huge day. E.J. Gaines on Kendall Wright will be a fun matchup to watch, but Henry Josey and James Franklin carry the Tigers to a second consecutive road victory in Texas, the first time all season Missouri has won consecutive games.

No. 3 Oklahoma State 44, No. 14 Kansas State 28: There will be too much offense for the Wildcats to handle in this one. Oklahoma State's is playing at Oklahoma's level, and this one won't be pretty for the K-State defense. Come back later Thursday for a video that further explores this matchup.

Here's what I'm keeping an eye on in this week's games.

1. Kansas State's secondary. The Wildcats failed their big test last week against Oklahoma and it gets just as difficult, if not more so, this week in Stillwater. And time it's on the road. OSU's running game is better than Oklahoma's, and its passing game is just as difficult to cover. Brandon Weeden has been sharp, and the task ahead of Nigel Malone and David Garrett is enormous. This matchup will decide the game.

2. Baylor's front seven. The Bears are giving up almost 250 yards on the ground in conference play, and Missouri fields a two-headed rushing attack with James Franklin and Henry Josey, who both torched a solid Texas A&M front seven last week. These guys have to play well to give Robert Griffin III and the Bears a chance, or Missouri will control possession and the game.

3. Oklahoma's home prowess. The home streak is gone, but did the mystique follow Texas Tech out of the building? Badly beating a good Texas A&M team would be a nice start for the Sooners, but Texas A&M has to be significantly less intimidated by a) seeing that result and b) beating Oklahoma last season. So which is it?

4. Texas QB(s)? Texas continues to list Case McCoy and David Ash as co-starters when the playing time looks like there's nothing "co" about it. Does McCoy still have a future on the field, or has the true freshman, Ash, taken over a full-time role? My guess is the latter, but Texas Tech will be a real test, unlike Kansas. The Red Raiders could be revealing.

5. Kansas ... offense? Prove to us that this offense really is better. Iowa State's defense doesn't really scare many folks across the Big 12, but KU had just three first downs against Texas last week and 46 total yards in a 43-0 loss. Part of that was the Longhorns eliminating the Jayhawks' running game, but can the offense help the Jayhawks get their first conference win?

6. Missouri's secondary. E.J. Gaines & Co. have stepped up their play in recent weeks, but this week will be a tough test for the Tigers. Griffin III endured a frustrating outing against Oklahoma State last week and will be back at home, where he's been dominant all season. Are the Tigers up to the task? They're dealing with one of the best receiving corps in the league, and a quarterback that would love nothing more than to beat them over the top.

7. Seth Doege's accuracy. Iowa State didn't blitz Tech much in last week's 41-7 win, but Doege wasn't sharp and the Red Raiders paid the price with a nonsensical loss. Doege's been outstanding, but can he bounce back this week? I expect him to, but Texas' secondary is one of the league's best, and the Longhorns will harass him and make him hurry throws at corners Quandre Diggs and Carrington Byndom.

8. Texas A&M's second half. It has to be said, does it not? Texas A&M has been the league's most odd team this year, only a few plays away from being in the top 3, instead of Oklahoma State. But alas, here they are, with losses to three teams after possessing double-digit halftime leads. Second halves haven't been the issue on the whole for this team, but they've been more evident in the losses. What's in store this week at Oklahoma?

9. Iowa State's identity. Who are these Cyclones? Was last week a statement of how good they can be? Or did Texas Tech lay an egg? I don't know how much Kansas can answer that question this week, but the Cyclones would be well-served to be the next team to blow out the Jayhawks, but Kansas could reach up and do to Iowa State what the Cyclones did to Tech. Should be an interesting matchup.

10. Oklahoma State's yes, focus. We've seen it the past two weeks. Oklahoma, then Texas Tech. If Oklahoma State isn't sharp, K-State will make it pay for dropped passes and poorly-timed three-and-outs. The ranking beside K-State's name should help the Cowboys perk up, but seeing last week's blowout loss to Oklahoma might inspire a bit of complacency. Or will it? OSU's stayed pretty loose this week, and this will be one of the toughest tests left before the showdown with Oklahoma.