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Sat September 23, 2006

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By John Helsley
The Oklahoman
Can OU — and you — get over last week?

So now you know Gordon Riese, a man perceivably capable of more harm on Oklahoma’s national title hopes than Vince Young or Matt Leinart or Nick Saban.




Quick, who’s the quarterback at Middle Tennessee? Ah, ah, no peeking across the page. Thought so. Sure, the Blue Raiders are a four-touchdown-plus underdog in Norman today. Their names escape us.

Meanwhile, you keep muttering about Gordon Riese and his replay booth misdeeds. Let it go. Your Sooners are moving on – at least you hope they are. You may as well, too.

It’s unlikely that even an Oregon hangover would be enough to deliver drama tonight. The Blue Raiders, while 2-1, were beaten by 14 in its only pseudo-major matchup at Maryland. But in this last chance for a feel-good performance before the big date in Big D, the Sooners could use a flaw-free, start-to-finish statement to create some momentum for their meeting with Texas in two weeks.

Can OU revitalize its defense?

OK, so OU’s defense appears to have been overrated in the preseason. Calls for greatness are now being replaced by pleas for decency. Or at least consistency. These Sooners tease with stretches of stoutness, but are undone by brief, yet deep burns. “You’ve seen enough really good play – at times – to be optimistic,” said Sooners defensive coordinator Brent Venables. OU still carries optimism it can take on Texas and the rest of the Big 12 and mount a run back into the national title picture. A first foot forward comes only with a dominant defensive performance tonight. “We need to play a great game,” said defensive end Calvin Thibodeaux. Anything less is unacceptable.

Will Marcus Walker save the secondary?

When Marcus Walker opens at one cornerback tonight, he’ll be the third Sooner to start opposite Reggie Smith.

Not due to injury, but that same inconsistency that has plagued the entire OU defense.

And inconsistency on the island of cornerback can’t be tolerated.

Walker was once considered a secondary savior, yanked from redshirt as a freshman late in the 2004 season. Then shoulder surgeries derailed his progress.

Finally healthy and playing well, he’s again being asked to help stabilize the secondary.

How many yards for A.D.?

This meeting with Middle Tennessee won’t command much national airtime. Unless the Blue Raiders pull off the unthinkable. Or unless the Sooners create something special. A monster day for Adrian Peterson, perhaps? Peterson punished Oregon in piling up 211 yards last Saturday, yet some suggest his Heisman hopes took a hit because of the loss. Silly as that may sound, maybe this is a prime opportunity to pad Peterson’s stats and status.

The Blue Raiders are light on the defensive line, averaging 254 across its front four. OU’s tight ends are that big.

Can the Sooners avoid injury?

The Sooners have a few aches and pains, but nothing serious. DeMarcus Granger, Jon Cooper and Matt Clapp are all nursing ankle sprains of some degree, which will limit their availability tonight.

So OU is close to passing through the non-conference portion of the schedule unscathed. With Texas next, the Sooners need to keep it that way.

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