College Football Poll, Preview: Texas vs. Oklahoma

Preview: Texas vs. Oklahoma
By Douglas Kroll
Courtesy: CollegeJersey.com

A great year for the #2 Texas Longhorns is only achieved when they defeat their archrivals, the Oklahoma Sooners. The two schools meet this Saturday in the Cotton Bowl, in what has become one of the greatest rivalries in college football.

Oklahoma has had the Longhorns number in recent years, as they have won five straight against the team that wears burnt orange. It has been said many times that Texas head coach Mack Brown would only solidify himself in ’horns history with a win over Bob Stoops.

If there were ever a year for Brown to defeat his nemesis, it would certainly be this year. His Texas team has been rolling and enters the 100th annual Red River Shootout at 4-0. Quarterback Vince Young has been sensational and has won 11 straight games since dropping last year’s match up against Oklahoma, 12-0. Young has thrown for 780 yards and seven touchdowns, while completing 65.9 percent of his passes. Add on the fact he’s also run for 310 yards, Young looks more and more like a young Michael Vick every time he takes the field.

Young really grew up with a come back win at then #3 Ohio State earlier this season. With that win, he put himself in contention for the Heisman Trophy, and with a win against Oklahoma, Young can nearly punch his ticket to the Rose Bowl.

On the other side of the gridiron, it has been problem after problem for the team that hails from Norman. It has been quite a few years since we haven’t seen Oklahoma in the top 25. It started with a shocking first week loss at home to TCU and didn’t get any better a couple of weeks later after getting blown out of the Rose Bowl by UCLA.

The team may be without standout running back Adrian Peterson. He has been held out of practice the last few days and has been seen walking around with a boot around his ankle to immobilize the injury. What may be a lopsided win for Texas even with Peterson could turn ugly very quickly if he is not able to suit up.

Starting quarterback Rhett Bomar, has only tossed one touchdown pass and ran for two others. He is only averaging 110 yards per game through the air, which leads almost everyone to believe, they are surely missing former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White at the helm.

Whenever rivals such as the Sooners and Longhorns get out on the playing field, rankings and records get thrown out of the window. Until Texas can beat the Sooners, they haven’t done anything yet.
Kickoff is set for Noon Eastern time on ABC.

Douglas Kroll is an independent contributor to College Football Poll.com.