 "Photo: Courtesy University of Oklahoma Athletics")
Texas Tech linebacker Bront Bird usually jokes with his teammates about how good Oklahoma is, but he knows there is a lot of truth to some of the praise he gives the Sooners.
“One thing I know about Oklahoma is that — we always say this as a joke — whenever they step out on the field and they are coming out of their tunnel, that is what some of the best athletes in the whole country look like, and it’s true,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it is their second string, third string, whatever.”
But among spectators this season, the Sooners do not have that look, swagger or assertiveness about them that makes opponents circle the date when OU comes to town.
The Sooners started the season No. 3 in the nation but will enter their matchup against Tech 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Jones AT&T Stadium unranked for the second consecutive week. Last week was the first time the Sooners weren’t ranked since 2005.
The Sooners have had a handful of injuries — most notably reigning Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Sam Bradford and standout tight end Jermaine Gresham — and tough losses away from home. OU has suffered losses to BYU, Miami (Florida), Texas and Nebraska — all of which were either at neutral sites or on the road.
This Oklahoma team, however, doesn’t fool Tech players and coaches. Bird said all the previous problems the Sooners have had should not matter when Saturday rolls around.
Even with the losses, there are still players such as quarterback Landry Jones and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
“The biggest thing is they don’t have any serious holes,” Tech coach Mike Leach said. “They are a team that would like to have some games back, but they don’t have any serious holes. They have good talent and good coaches. They played together really well last year.”
Last year was when OU handed then-No. 2 Tech a 65-21 loss and a ticket to the Cotton Bowl instead of a national championship berth.
But because of those injuries, the Sooners have a different look.
Gresham hurt his knee in a practice leading up to the 2009 season opener against BYU.
He earned an All-America Second Team selection following the 2008 season after racking up 950 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.
Bradford sprained his shoulder in that first contest against BYU, made his return against Texas, but discovered he was too unhealthy to go for the rest of the season.
Bradford opted for surgery and the 2010 NFL Draft. Gresham, who reportedly as a senior had the option to use his redshirt this season and play again next year, also elected to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.
On top of losing two of their best players, the Sooners have lost defensive end Auston English to a season-ending foot injury that requires surgery.
There also have been injuries to running back DeMarco Murray, receivers Dejuan Miller and Ryan Broyles and offensive linemen Trent Williams and Ben Habern, to name a few.
It seems the Sooners’ toughest days are ahead of them as well, with this road game at Tech — a place they have not won since 2003 — and back at home against No. 12 Oklahoma State.
But Leach pointed out Jones is playing well, even with the circumstances of replacing Bradford earlier than expected. Jones has had some bad games, such as the 10-3 loss at Nebraska where he threw five picks and no touchdowns. But all that was a memory for OU fans after he completed 24-of-39 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns in the 65-10 win against Texas A&M on Saturday.
Then there’s McCoy, who Tech offensive lineman Marlon Winn said falls in line with the other top-notch defensive linemen the Red Raiders have faced this season. McCoy may not be putting up sacks like Tech defensive end Brandon Sharpe and A&M’s Von Miller, but Winn said his ability is noteworthy.
“Very athletic, very strong, fast around the edges. He can work inside as well, good with his hands and he is always focused,” Winn said. “I think he is an awesome athlete really.”
While the six-win Sooners still are in line for a bowl berth this season, their only win against a Big 12 Conference opponent over .500 is against Kansas State.
So while a win on the road could help OU in its efforts to finish strong and get a better bowl, Murray said he expects to face a hungry Tech team Saturday, despite the Red Raiders’ 65-21 loss last year.
“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “They’re going to play us hard regardless, and we’re going to play them hard. We’re fighting for the best bowl game we can get in, and I’m sure they are too.”
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