The Norman Transcript

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November 29, 2008

BEDLAM: Sooner's have been great on road, but this is different

By John Shinn

The biggest improvement Oklahoma’s made this season is its play on the road. Three true road games have produced three lopsided victories. A lot more confidence was built with each convincing performance. The Sooners are 3-0 in opposing teams’ stadiums, winning all three games by 23 or more points and scoring at least 55 each time.

“So far, we’ve been a really good road team. We’ve been putting up numbers, just the same as we have at home,” running back Mossis Madu said. “I think if we go out there and play to our capability, we’ll be able to do it (again).”

It’s been the biggest switch from the past to 2008. OU was one of the most dominant teams in college football at Owen Field last season. It ran over every team in its path. But away from home the Sooners struggled. They haven’t beaten a ranked team on the road since 2006.

This year it’s been different. Take away the neutral site game in Dallas against Texas and the Sooners have dominated everywhere they’ve played.

But there is also this troubling fact: None of the challenges the Sooners have faced on the road this season have been anywhere near as daunting as the one they face Saturday night at No. 11 Oklahoma State.

It’s true the Sooners have beaten some good teams this year. Three — No. 14 TCU, No. 16, Cincinnati and No. 7 Texas Tech — are still in the Top 25.

But what OU’s faced on the road hasn’t exactly been a murderers’ row. Washington, Kansas State and Texas A&M; represent the Sooners’ road victories. All three programs are down. Combined they’re 9-25 and none will be bowl eligible. There’s no doubt OU biggest road challenge will be against the Cowboys.

Nonetheless, the Sooners still believe their fantastic road success can be attributed to an approach and focus that can and has been duplicated this week in practice.

“I feel very good about our attitude and the way we have taken (to) the road thus far this season,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “It has been very businesslike, and the guys have been very focused, concentrated and played well. But we have to do it again Saturday at Oklahoma State.”

The Sooners (10-1, 6-1 Big 12) have taken a business-like approach and come out firing from the opening kick. The best example is the halftime score in OU’s road games. The Sooners have led by at least 24 points in all three games, along the way sucking the life out of each crowd.

The crowd at Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday should be much harder to overcome, even if the Cowboys aren’t. This is the biggest Bedlam game since 2003. The Cowboys’ BCS and Big 12 title hopes have been dashed, but a 10-win regular season is still within reach.

OU’s hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game for the fifth time in six years rests on winning. Hopes of playing for a national title are also within reach.

Then there’s the bragging rights, which have always ramped things up when OU and OSU meet.

The stadium will be loud and more will be on the line than a typical Bedlam game. Once and for all, the Sooners have a chance to prove their road woes are a thing of the past and they can do it in the stadium where they’re loathed the most.

“Everyone loves rivalry,” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “It’s always exciting when we get to play Oklahoma State. They’re not the only ones that are amped up.”

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com

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