Brown says Texas respects Oklahoma
By Jenny Dial
Oklahoma Daily
(U-WIRE) NORMAN, Okla. -- While Oklahoma and Texas fans can't control the trash talking about this weekend's Red River Shootout, the players and coaching staffs have had nothing but praise between them.
In fact, Texas head coach Mack Brown told Austin reporters Tuesday that if he couldn't say anything nice about anyone, he wouldn't say anything at all.
Brown called OU a "challenge" when he addressed the press this week in Austin, Texas.
Brown was exceedingly complimentary of the Sooners this year.
"This is probably the best Oklahoma team I have ever seen during my time here," he said. "They are No. 1 in the country, and it looks like they are the most dominant team in the country. They pose a great challenge for us, but this will be an opportunity for us to play and work to beat the best team in the country."
Texas is preparing for OU after defeating Kansas State 24-20 on Saturday. Brown's biggest concerns lie in facing the OU defense.
"They have no weaknesses on their defense," Brown said. "They are two-deep and play a lot of guys like Lynn McGruder, who is one of the best defensive tackles in the country, and he isn't even a starter."
With the Longhorns' new quarterbacks taking turns on the field, Brown is concerned with the Sooner secondary.
"Brandon Everage is one of the best tacklers we've ever seen, and Derrick Strait is also really good," Brown said. "They produce quite a threat between the two of them."
The OU defense has Brown working his offense hard this week in practice.
"No one has moved the ball consistently against Oklahoma," Brown said. "No one has scored on them when the game mattered. This is the best defense I've seen."
Aside from his concerns with the overpowering OU defense, Brown also gave credit to the Sooner offense.
"[Jason White] deserves a lot of credit because I'm sure not many people thought he would play again," Brown said. "But for him to return and play as well as he has is a tribute to his effort and progress as a quarterback. He's beating people with his [game] and his arm. He's throwing the ball as well as anyone in the country."
While the Longhorns are the underdog in the match, their confidence is abundant among their squad.
"We know that we have to play a perfect game to beat them," Texas wide receiver Roy Williams said. "They are No. 1, but we have a talented group of players. We can win this game, but it won't be easy."
While the Sooners continue to prepare for the Longhorns and the Longhorns get ready for OU, both teams see the weight of the game.
"This is one of the biggest games of the year," White said. "These are two good teams, and it is a big rivalry. These teams respect each other, though. And the game should be a good one."
© 2002 Oklahoma Daily via U-WIRE
