Oklahoma, Texas ready to lock horns
By Jenny Dial
Oklahoma Daily
(U-WIRE) NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 1 Oklahoma football team is about to embark on what most consider its biggest game of the year.
Saturday, the Sooners and the No. 11 Longhorns face off in the annual Red River Shootout at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas at 2:30 p.m. (CDT).
The Sooners are 5-0 going into the game. Texas is 4-1.
With OU entering the game with a No. 1 ranking, this marks the 11th time in the series history that one of the teams has been ranked No. 1.
"We try to not to think about rankings," OU quarterback Jason White said. "We prepare for every team the same way, regardless of our ranking or theirs."
The Sooners have beaten the Longhorns three times in a row.
"Our wins on the past don't do anything for us now, because they are in the past," OU head coach Bob Stoops said. "Our confidence comes from the level we are playing at right now this year."
The Sooners have balanced threats on offense and defense. While the defense has only allowed 75 points in the last five games, the Sooners have scored 221 points.
Texas is relying on its offense with quarterbacks Chance Mock and Vincent Young leading the way.
White has started all five games for the Sooners and has completed 112 of 166 passes for 1,472 yards and 16 touchdowns. White has been dubbed by national media as a strong Hesiman candidate.
"I think Jason will continue to bee looked at in that light if he keeps performing at this level and we keep winning games," Stoops said. "It's too early to say, but he is performing at an exceptional level."
Heisman light has been shed on two Texas players as well. Wide receiver Roy Williams and running back Cedric Benson have both received national hype this season.
"We are going to have to cover (Williams) a little different, because he is so quick," Stoops said.
Stoops also said the Sooners would have to focus on the ground game.
"They use a quarterback rushing game and we will have to prepare for that," Stoops said.
The Longhorns are coming off a 24-20 win over Kansas State last weekend. Because the game was a must-win situation for the 'Horns, the Sooners saw some special tactics.
"We are able to watch film of them in a game they had to win," Stoops said. "That gives us an idea of what they will do in a big game."
© 2002 Oklahoma Daily via U-WIRE
