Today might be the first time in awhile OU's defense will be asked to win a game

By John Shinn

Three weeks ago, Oklahoma didn't figure to be in this position. A game against Tulsa looked like a challenge, but nothing like the one the 12th-ranked Sooners face today.

The preseason predictions of an offensive shutout at 2:30 today at Owen Field doesn't exactly play to OU's strengths. Today, it needs its defense to go out and win a football game.

Coaches don't like to put that kind of weight on one game or that kind of pressure on one unit. Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables downplayed the notion that his unit's performance against Tulsa could be a gauge for the rest of the season.

"I would say it was a great challenge. I don't know if I would say barometer, but I guarantee no matter what the outcome is there will be things that we'll need to be better at," OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "So, for your team you want them to keep building and getting better every week. There are always things you can learn from and improve at. I think it will be a great challenge and our guys are looking at it that way."

It's a great challenge because Tulsa has built itself into an offensive powerhouse over the years. It's led the nation in total offense the last two seasons and has displayed no signs of slowing down in back-to-back wins over Tulane and New Mexico.

There's little doubt the Golden Hurricane's ability to score points rivals any team in the Big 12 Conference.

The last time the teams met in 2007, OU won handily (62-21), but it sill allowed nearly 400 yards of offense to the Golden Hurricane. It was far from a dominant defensive performance.

OU might not have needed it that night. It had a prolific offense capable of lighting up scoreboards against just about any team.

Do the Sooners have that kind of offensive firepower this season?

Hard to believe they do with Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham on the sidelines. Landry Jones is about to make his second career start at quarterback. OU's still waiting on an offensive line to gel. It's still waiting on receivers to step up and become an established playmakers.

OU needs to know it can win even if it doesn't have the best offense, because it may face that situation several times throughout the season.

Earlier in the week, Sooner coach Bob Stoops was asked if this team had created an identity. He said it was still a work in progress.

"It's still too early. I think the overall chemistry is there. Again, I'm pleased as a head coach with their attitude and their attention in meetings, their willingness to practice and the way they hustle around. For that part I have been pleased," he said. "But if you're asking about our identity right now with our injuries and all we've gone through, it's way too early to tell. I think it's still developing."

But the defense's identity can be solidified with a dominant performance today. It has an abundance of star players, who are also healthy.

They've been great in the first two games. Giving up 14 points in two games is pretty good no matter what kind of competition it's faced. Confidence is growing that the Sooners have the ability to blanket any team they play.

"We go out there with one goal anyway," defensive tackle Adrian Taylor said. "Whether we're ranked number one in defense or 200th, our goal is to be number one on every Saturday that we play."

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com