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

Tom from Eagle River, Ark., writes: Jake, Roy Finch has been running the ball well, when he gets a chance. Do you see him getting more carries as OU finds the need to improve the run game?

Jake Trotter: I expect Finch to be a much bigger part of the offense in the second half of the season. Lapses on the practice field and in the film room, especially with pass protection, cost him playing time earlier in the season. But it appears he has gotten the message – Finch didn’t have any busted protections last week at Kansas. He is a special player with the ball in his hands, and as he gets more chances I see him boosting the run game and the red zone offense.

Kevin in Reno, Nev., writes: How concerned are you about OU's touchdown production inside the 20? It seems to be getting worse, not better.

Jake Trotter: It only concerns me for two games: at Oklahoma State, and a potential national championship matchup with either Alabama or LSU. OU is good enough to beat everyone else with its No. 83 ranking in converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. But kicking field goals won’t beat OSU, and it won’t defeat the SEC champ. The Sooners found that out the hard way against Florida in the 2008 national championship. Whatever the magical solution is – throw the ball to James Hanna, get Finch involved -- OU has to get better in the red zone between now and December.

Michael from Long Beach, Calif., writes: Any news when Brennan Clay will be back? I think he adds something in the passing game. Kind of reminds me of a Chris Brown with a little more speed.

Jake Trotter: Chris Brown? Have to disagree there. Brown was a rugged runner who excelled between the tackles. He seemed to always get that one yard on third-and-short. Clay is nowhere near the power runner that Brown was. But I do agree that Clay, who’s supposed to be back Saturday, could add to the passing game, and he's someone who could make plays out of the slot.

Rett in Oregon writes: Landry Jones has been labeled a “difference maker" and the reason why OU will beat Alabama or LSU in the national championship game. Do you think he needs to perform better against Alabama or LSU than he did against Florida State (199 yards, 1TD, 2 INTs)? If so, why?

Jake Trotter: Rett, if anyone is going to pick OU to beat Alabama or LSU in the title game, Jones is the reason. Neither the Tide nor the Tigers has a quarterback in Jones’ league. Jones was clutch in Tallahassee, driving the Sooners down for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. But if he throws for less than 200 yards and two picks against Bama or LSU, it’s difficult to envision the Sooners winning that game.

Denny from Navasota, Texas, writes: Jake, whatever happened to the Pac-10 ref who basically stole the game from OU in 2006? I recall he was suspended for the remainder of that year, and possibly his crew as well. Was he allowed to continue officiating after such flagrantly poor calls that were made during that game?

Jake Trotter: The Pac-10 suspended replay official Gordon Riese for one game following that call (after a review, Riese ruled Oregon had recovered an onside kick when OU’s Allen Patrick clearly had), but Riese took a leave of absence for the rest of the season. The next year, he was demoted from replay official to technical assistant.