OU puts hopes on the line

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer - 11/7/2009


LINCOLN, Neb. — It's the matchup that will determine exactly how far Oklahoma's offense has come. Or, possibly, how much further the Sooners have to go.

It's OU's offensive line — what coach Bob Stoops has called the team's "weak link" — versus Nebraska's defensive line, one of the best in all of college football.

Will the Sooner blockers be up for the challenge?

"I

hope

they are," said OU quarterback Landry Jones.

Last week, for just the second time this season, Oklahoma started the same five offensive linemen from the week before. More importantly, the coaching staff chose to stay with the starting five throughout the Sooners' 42-30 victory over Kansas State.

"I would say who starts doesn't much matter, it's just how we've played the last couple weeks," Stoops said. "There's been more consistency. Hopefully there's a little better play overall. There will need to be against a very good defensive front."

No. 20 OU (5-3 overall, 3-1 Big 12) is a four-point favorite over the Huskers (5-3, 2-2) in Saturday night's showdown at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium. The Sooners have ridden their own dominating defense all season, but lately — because of better play up front — they have relied on their offense.

Trent Williams at left tackle, Brody Eldridge at left guard, Ben Habern at center, Stephen Good at right guard and Cory Brandon at right tackle have all had their problems this year.

Williams was the lone returning starter from last season, but has been exposed in single blocking a handful of significant plays. Eldridge, a tight end by trade, has been solid as ever, but at 260 pounds has a hard time with bigger defenders. Habern started the season with a bad back but has settled in. Good was a projected first-year starter who was frequently whipped by his man early on. And Brandon began the year as the starter but quickly fell out of favor due to false-start and holding penalties.

The first six weeks of the season, the front five — with the exception of Williams — was in constant flux. Transfers Jarvis Jones and Tavaris Jeffries and even true freshman Tyler Evans have been in and out throughout games. Against Nebraska, starting left guard Brian Simmons will miss his fourth game with a knee injury.

But the last two weeks, against Kansas and K-State, the Sooner offense started fast (opening-drive TDs in both games), then enjoyed a second-half surge that ultimately proved the difference between winning and losing.

"Just getting those guys working together as a unit and as a team, just them getting familiar with each other, I think, is one of the bigger things we've got going for us right now," the OU QB said. "The last couple games, we're starting to play really good."

Against KU, OU marched 75, 70 and 80 yards for second-half TDs. Against KSU, OU went 67 and 68 yards after halftime. In those two second halves, the Sooner offense converted 10-of-15 third downs and possessed the ball more than five minutes longer than the opponent.

"The execution has been getting better every week," offensive line coach James Patton said, "and that gives us a chance to have some success and be efficient."

It'll be more challenging against Nebraska's defensive front. Senior tackle Ndamukong Suh is an All-American and has been projected as the No. 1 pick in next April's NFL draft. Sophomore tackle Jared Crick set a school record last week with five sacks among his 13 tackles. And senior Barry Turner and junior Pierre Allen are big, strong and athletic ends.

They help the Huskers rank 10th nationally in rushing defense (96.2 yards per game) and ninth in total defense (267.6). The starting four has accounted for 18 1/2 tackles for lost yardage.

"They're a really good defensive front," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "Every game starts with your ability to get a handle on what's happening up front, whether you're running or throwing. It'll be a huge challenge, a huge opportunity, and that (offensive line) group's been inconsistent for us."

And there it is, another shot on the offensive line. It started last spring when Stoops called out its offseason work habits. It continued in two-a-days, when Stoops called the unit a weak link. It hasn't stopped. And this week, with the Huskers' fearsome foursome laying in wait, it has become a motivating force.

"We hear it from everybody, from our coaches to our other teammates to y'all (local media) to ESPN to everybody," Habern said. "But it's definitely an encouragement. It makes us want to work harder. We feel like it's something that, hey, we can prove to the nation how we can go against some of the best in the country."



John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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eglkeeper, Hooterville (11/8/2009 7:24:32 AM)
MMMMMmm... This was predicted due to a less than acceptable offensive line and a pocket as well as QB that is very non mobile.

HVJ, (11/7/2009 10:29:37 AM)
I figure if the Huskers lose the coin toss and have to receive the ball on offense, the game will effectively be over by 7:15 pm.

TexaSooner, Houston (11/7/2009 10:49:27 PM)
Maybe Hope can do a better job than that lousy front they have. An I'll keep saying it, get rid of Kevin Wilson. Surely, Houston Cougars talent is not as good as OU but it seems that Kevin Sumlin "remember him?" seems to know how to use his players and can dail up some creativity. Kevin Wilson Suuuuuuuuuks and I hope they don't go to a bowl an get embrassed. OU will lose to Texas Tech, and OSU I hate to say that. But if Stoops don't make any changes for play calling Sooner fans, keep holding your breath. You will finally wake up and see what the smart fans have been saying what you kittycats call bandwagon fans. Kevin Wilson Suck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steff M, Claremore (11/7/2009 5:06:15 PM)
Why, TMS? Because he thinks OU is better than the spread shows, apparently.??? Why would the game attract press coverage? One of the greatest rivalries in CFB history, top 20 team involved, bowl implications, this is an Oklahoma based paper. I'm sure I can think of some more if you need them. If you don't like the site, don't click on it. We'd actually prefer it that way.

TMS, (11/7/2009 9:58:22 AM)
The "Picker" thinks the point spread is way off in that OU should be favored much more. Why? Beyond that why would a game with two teams like OU and Nebraska draw any press??

thinkmarley, (11/7/2009 5:24:06 PM)
Steff, you said it well.

BOBO1, (11/8/2009 12:06:50 AM)
Turns out the Nebraska defense pretty much handled the Sooner offense. The Sooner run was stuffed and Landry just well....sucked. The bright side was Sooner defense but Nebraska played it conservative and had no turnovers and few penalties. Nebraska was very thankful for all of the interception yards off of Landry....Guess the season is over for the Sooners....maybe next year...maybe!



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