The Oklahoma Sooners head to hostile Kyle Field
The Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) may have lost their shot at a BCS (Bowl Championship Series) championship, but they still have dreams of a Big 12 title. They’ll look to continue their dominance in the conference on Saturday 6 November, when they head
to Kyle Field to take on the always dangerous Texas A&M Aggies (5-3, 2-2 Big 12).
What will become of the Sooners’ season remains to be seen, as Oklahoma still has to face both the Baylor Bears and Oklahoma State Cowboys on the road. Each of the three teams has one loss in the Big 12, with head-to-head match-ups involving each of the three
schools scheduled in the coming weeks.
Although those contests will go a long way in determining how the conference eventually shakes out, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is not looking past any of his team’s upcoming opponents, including the pesky Aggies.
“Going on the road to all these Big 12 South division teams, and North, it’s tough. But you could ask me that the six times a year we’re on the road,” Stoops said. “It’s that way every time. And probably fair to say when people come here, it’s tough to play,
too.”
The Sooners bounced back from a recent loss to the Missouri Tigers, in which they committed a season-high three turnovers, with a 43-10 victory over a dreary Colorado team that is winless this season in conference. Apparently correcting whatever mistakes dogged
them in the Missouri game, Oklahoma was essentially error-free in their turnover-less performance against the Buffaloes.
Posting a career-high 453 yards through the air, to go with four touchdowns, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones assessed his squad’s improvement. “We learned from Missouri and what the atmosphere is like playing in a big game on the road,” the play-caller said.
Although Texas A&M may not have the most prolific team on paper, Jones does not underestimate the intimidating atmosphere that makes Kyle Field one of the most difficult environments to compete in around college football. “Texas A&M is a big challenge at home,”
he said. “They’re always a great home team, so we’ve got to go in there and we’ve got to play the best football to expect to win that game.”
Likewise, Ryan Broyles believes that controlling the pace and maintaining possession on offense is the key to Oklahoma’s success. “I feel like the tables would have been turned last week if we didn’t have the turnovers,” the Sooners receiver said of the loss
to Missouri. “If we take care of the ball, we can play with the best of them.”
After defeating the Texas Longhorns, 28-20, in the annual Red River Rivalry, many assumed that Oklahoma would be the clear cut favourite to win the Big 12’s South division. However, Baylor (7-2, 4-1 Big 12) and Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) have played surprisingly
well this season, challenging the Sooners’ dominance in the league.
“The rest of the schedule, we always know how tough the South is,” coach Stoops said. “You guys take it for granted in some ways. We don’t. It’s the only way to have a chance to win it, is to know what you’re up against.”
Saturday’s match-up in College Station, Texas, will provide the Sooners with yet another Big (12) test.
Tags: