OU beats TCU, moves to #1

The star of Saturday night's game against TCU was #1. As in Manny Johnson. It was fitting that the receiver, who set OU's single game receiving yards record wears jersey #1. Because that's the ranking the Sooners took over after beating TCU 35-10. It certainly was a crazy weekend of college football, with the #1, 3 & 4 teams all going down. The Sooners now own the top spot ahead of Notre Dame for most weeks at number one.

Sam Bradford bolstered his Heisman campaign with 411 yards passing and 4 TDs. He was helped by three big passing plays to Manny Johnson, who now owns the Sooner record for receiving yards in a game with 206 yards. Bradford also set an OU record for passing yards in a quarter with 199 yards in the first quarter.

The Sooners got off to a fast start against TCU and never let up. Even thought the Sooners never established a running game, they were able to torch the Horned Frog defense through the air. OU scored 21 points in the first quarter and TCU had no answer offensively. OU's defense played strong again, led by linebackers Ryan Reynolds and Travis Lewis.

The Sooners return to the top of the mountain after five years off. It is the first time since 2003 the Sooners have been ranked #1.

Sooners Blitz No. 23 TCU, 35-10...soonersports.com

Oklahoma vs. TCU

Oklahoma takes on the Horned Frogs of TCU this Saturday night in Norman. Everybody's been talking about the 2005 game. Yes, OU has a little bit of payback due to these Frogs. And the fact that they're ranked in the top 25 makes this match-up even more intriguing. This game is now OU's toughest non-conference game when only three weeks ago, Cincinnati was the toughest. The Horned Frogs are something like 4-1 against OU in Norman and have a very good team this year. So far they are unbeaten, albeit they haven't played anyone. They are strong on offense and lead the nation in total defense. However, they haven't seen an offense like OU's fourth ranked unit. Their offense is powered by a strong running game, but OU matches up well in that respect.

This game will not be anything like the 2005 loss. OU has a dominant, experienced offensive line. In 2005 these current senior linemen were all freshman and learning the offense like the rest of the young team. OU's quarterback situation is also worlds apart in comparison. The 2008 Sooners have a much better quarterback in Sam Bradford compared to 2005's Rhett Bomar. There's all the difference you need. OU is favored by 18.5 points.


OU'S O-LINE IS FAR BETTER THAN THEY WERE IN 2005

OU will need to play well against this feisty TCU team, whose fans are definitely hyped up for this one. And after a week off, Sooner fans will be just as hyped to see their #2 ranked team in action again.

Prediction: Oklahoma 47 - TCU 20.

In Sam Bradford news, the star QB is not only getting Heisman recognition but also getting buzz as a top NFL prospect in next year's draft. If you've been listening to Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay from ESPN.com, they are talking up Bradford as the best quarterback for the 2010 NFL draft. McShay even went so far as to say Bradford is the best eligible quarterback for the 2009 draft! Of course Bradford wouldn't come out after this year, (we hope), but may have to make a decision after his junior year.


BRADFORD IS GETTING NFL HYPE

Make sure to tune in to Gameday on ESPN this Saturday. Gameday is doing a spotlight piece on Bradford.

Gameday to Feature Bradford...soonersports.com

Stoops, Sooners Preview TCU Game...soonersports.com

OU football notebook...newsok.com

OU Notebook...tulsaworld.com

Rare home loss inspires Sooners vs. TCU...espn.com

OU routs Washington 55-14

Sam Bradford and the Sooners' offensive machine mowed down another opponent Saturday night. It was another impressive performance by the sophomore quarterback who now has me believing that there's a serious chance of him winning the Heisman this year. Bradford was near flawless in the Sooner win, hitting on 18 of 21 passes for 304 yards. And the fact that the Sooners were playing on the road in a hostile environment makes it even more impressive. The guy doesn't seem to make a wrong decision and he doesn't get rattled.


SAM BRADFORD IS MAKING HIS CASE
FOR THE HEISMAN

This Sooner win wasn't a one man show by far. The offensive line played great allowing two running backs, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, to eclipse 100 yards each. Murray and Brown had holes to run through all game long. In all, OU finished with 274 rushing yards to balance their 300+ passing yards. Several receivers stepped up once again. WR Ryan Broyles and TE Jermaine Gresham each had two TD catches. Each had an impressive long TD reception of highlight quality. By the way, is there a better stiff arm in the nation than Gresham's?


THE SOONERS WERE ABLE TO RUN
AT WILL AGAINST THE HUSKIES

Defensively, the Sooners were stout again. This OU line seemingly gets better and better. Gerald McCoy is a beast. And Jeremy Beal is trying to take over Auston English's title of "best defensive end on the team." The D-Line caused havoc in the backfield and stuffed the run over and over, holding Washington to 87 net rushing yards. The secondary played well and broke up several passes, including one in the endzone.


THE OU "D" IS COMING ON STRONG

Yes, it was a very impressive win in Seattle for the Sooners. The 41 point victory on the road was enough to vault the Sooners past Georgia, who had an unimpressive 14-7 win over South Carolina. The voters put the right team at #2.

Right now, it appears that the teams to beat are Oklahoma and USC. Followed close behind by Missouri and Florida. If the Sooners can play this well on the road in the Big 12, I think no one will be able to stop them.

Three weeks in, three teams stand out...espn.com

Sooners Trample Washington, 55-14...soonersports.com

Tramel: Beware of these Sooners...newsok.com

Husky roadkill...tulsaworld.com

OU vs. Washington Buzz

Oklahoma takes their show on the road this weekend against the Washington Huskies and are a 21 point favorite. The Sooners invade Seattle Saturday night versus a team that got hosed last week on a Pac-10 official call much like the 2006 Sooners at Oregon.

OU will try to improve on last season's bad road performances. The Huskies are not a good team. Even though they took #18 BYU down to the wire, Washington is playing without two starters and should be no match for the red-hot #3 Sooners.

Sam Bradford cracked into this week's ESPN Heisman watch at #5. Look for Bradford to hit super-frosh WR Ryan Broyles again for big yardage. After his performance last week vs. Cincy, Broyles may have become Bradford's favorite target.


BRADFORD GETS HEISMAN BUZZ

On defense, the Sooners are looking tough. The secondary has hardly been tested so far, but have played well. The linebacking corp has become solid with the emergence of RFr. Travis Lewis. On the line, the Sooners have been great at getting pressure in the backfield.

OU vs. Washington won't be as compelling as the other west coast match up Saturday night. But the Sooners have to prove they can win despite Pac-10 officiating. And prove they can win on the road.

Prediction: Oklahoma 49 - Washington 13

Sooner Gameday Central...soonersports.com

Game Notes: OU at Washington...soonersports.com

Stoops, Sooners ready to move past last year's road losses...newsok.com

OU Notebook...tulsaworld.com

Sooners take care of Cincy 52-26

OU overcame a shaky second quarter to thump the Cincinnati Bearcats 52-26. The Sooners came out strong in the first quarter via two great offensive scoring drives, each capped off by Sam Bradford touchdown throws. The second quarter became a little scary when Cincinnati came within 8 points after picking off Bradford twice. Cincinnati also got help from their special teams with great kickoff returns from record-setting specialist Mardy Gilyard.


BRADFORD HAD A BIG DAY
PASSING THE BALL

But in the end, the Bearcats couldn't pull off the upset. OU made the right adjustments at halftime and came out strong once again the third quarter. Overall it was an outstanding performance by Sam Bradford who threw for career high 395 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tight end Jermaine Gresham continued his dominance with two touchdown receptions and finished with 93 yard on 7 catches.

The offensive breakout player of the game was by far Ryan Broyles. Broyles lived up to the hype he was given by coaches in the preseason. His first two collegiate catches were very memorable. First he caught a short pass by Bradford and took it down the sideline for an impressive thirty-yard plus gain. A few plays later, he caught a 27 yard pass for a OU's first touchdown of the game. Broyles finished with a game-high 141 receiving yards. His most impressive catch was a jump ball caught over two defenders for 43 yards. What a debut! This guy is going to be awesome.


RYAN BROYLES HAD A BREAKOUT GAME IN HIS SOONER DEBUT

On the defensive side, OU played just as well. They weren't given much to work with after two interceptions and bad field position from several great Cincinnati kickoff returns. But the defense held when they needed to and played very well. Dominique Franks came up with a huge end zone interception in the first half. The potential touchdown would have made the halftime score very close.

Defensive stars included defensive end Jeremy Beal, who was in the backfield all day and finished with 10 tackles, and redshirt freshman Travis Lewis with 12 tackles. Lewis was the Ryan Broyles of the defense, having a coming-out party with an impressive game. Lewis now has the potential to be the regular starter and may have solidified the spot over Austin Box. Box, a player I thought would be the starter this week was limited in action. Coaches may still be holding him back a little after having knee surgery. But Lewis, so far, has been solid in only his first two games as a Sooner.

Overall, this was a great win for the Sooners. The offense was dominant against a very good Big East defense. And the defense played solidly versus a good spread offense. Cincinnati should win a few games this year and Oklahoma will be able to point to this game as a quality non-conference win.

Sooners Thump Cincinnati, 52-26...soonersports.com

Broyles sparks OU in impressive debut...newsok.com

Sooners pull away from Cincinnati for a 52-26 win...tulsaworld.com

Oklahoma's Broyles breaks out in romp over Cincinnati...
dallasnews.com

OU vs. Cincinnati Buzz

The Sooners come out in week two against Cincinatti, a team that won 10 games in 2007and went bowling. This opponent will be a stark contrast to the cream puff Chattanooga Mocs of week one. The Sooners are favored by 22 points. The game is scheduled for 2:30 on ABC.



The Sooners should be at full strength and will be even deeper at linebacker with Austin Box set to make his OU debut after having surgery. Cincinatti has a passing attack capable of moving down the field and scoring. Their rushing game is a different story, however. The Sooner defense should be able to handle this offense if they can't run the ball.


AUSTIN BOX COULD MAKE HIS
FIRST START AS A SOONER SATURDAY

On defense, the Bearcats have two All-Americans and could be a challenge for OU offensively. This game will be a good test for the Sooners in preparation for a non-conference road game the following week.

This Cincinatti game looked like a cupcake opponent when the Sooners scheduled them two years ago. Now, however, it may not be the cake walk everyone was hoping for. Still, I believe the Sooners will take care of business. Home game. #4 team in the nation. National (or regional) television. Sooners win.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45 - Cincinnati 17

OU vs. Cincy Scouting Report...soonersports.com

Game Notes: OU Hosts Bearcats...soonersports.com

Sooners Win Big in Saturday Opener

Saturday night, OU needed only one half of football to prove dominant over Tennessee-Chattanooga. After scoring 50 points in thirty minutes, there was no need in coming out in the second half and after a 90 minute rain delay. But they did anyway. When the storm finally eased up, so did the Sooners. Final score: OU 57, Chattanooga 2.



Sam Bradford and the rest of the offense played very well and moved the ball with ease while breaking in their new no-huddle offense. Bradford picked up where he left off the 2007 season connecting on 17 of 22 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. DeMarco Murray also played well coming off of knee surgery. Murray carried 15 times for 124 yards and two scores. Chris Brown punched in three touchdowns from short distances and had 64 yards on the ground.

But it was WR Manny Johnson who may have had the best game. Johnson finished with 9 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. It was good to see production like this out of Johnson. The tandem of Juaquin Iglesias and Johnson will pack a powerful punch down the stretch.



Defensively, the game was a shut out. The Sooners covered well, tackled well, and rushed the QB well all night. Sack master DE Auston English had 2.5 sacks and six tackles to lead the Sooners along with LB Ryan Reynolds.

The Sooners now look ahead to a much better opponent in Cincinnati. The Bearcats were a bowl team a year ago and finished in the rankings at #17.

OU Opens Season with 57-2 Win...soonersports.com

OU notebook: Sooners play clean...newsok.com

OU cruises to 57-2 win after lightning delay at halftime... tulsaworld.com