Will Adrian Peterson ever play again in crimson and cream?
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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops sounded like a believer Tuesday.
"I'm pretty convinced of that," Stoops said. "Things may change, but at this point it hasn't for him."
Peterson was hopeful to return from a broken collarbone in time to play in Saturday's Bedlam game. That possibility was ruled out after a bone scan done Monday.
Stoops said he was uncertain whether Peterson might make it back should the Sooners make the Big 12 title game Dec. 2. Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, said Monday that his son still wanted to play for OU in a bowl game.
As for the long layoff — the injury occurred Oct. 14 and a late-December or early January bowl is expected for the Sooners — Stoops said it's no concern.
"He's out there running and doing things, training," Stoops said. "He's in shape.
"All right, so he's 80 percent, instead of 100. Still pretty good."
• Eyes on Texas: OU players and coaches are dismissing thoughts of a possible letdown related to Friday's Texas-Texas A&M game.
An A&M win would set up the Sooners with a shot at the Big 12 championship game, provided they beat OSU. A Texas win seals a Longhorn clash with Nebraska in Kansas City.
"There is some big implications on that game," said Sooners quarterback Paul Thompson. "Either way, if we don't take care of Oklahoma State, it doesn't matter.
"It's a tough situation, because it is an important game, as far as where we want to go. But at the same time, playing Oklahoma State is just as important."
Thompson pointed out that this team has been able to stay focused through much adversity this season.
"This team has proved that we can block out a lot of things and stay focused on what we need to do," Thompson said. "This is just another thing we have to block out."
• Big, bigger, biggest? Stoops acknowledged Saturday's meeting with OSU as a rivalry game.
But he said it was one of many and wasn't in the mood for ranking which one was bigger.
"We've got a bunch of rivalries, right?" Stoops said. "We've got Texas. We've got Nebraska. We've got Oklahoma State. Heck, when we played K-State, everyone talks about that for the longest time. So it's like every game we've got is a rivalry, darn near.
"I don't know how to quantify them. Everyone wants you to do that. That's not for me to do. It's a big game. Here we go again. How do you make them bigger? When you're trying to win all of them, you can't."
• Hartley a finalist: Sooners kicker Garrett Hartley is one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the top kicker in college football.
The other finalists are Auburn's John Vaughn and Louisville's Arthur Carmody.
Hartley has connected on 17 of 18 field goal tries this season. His only miss came on a blocked kick on the last play at Oregon.
The award winner will be announced Dec. 7 during the ESPNHome Depot College Football Award Show in Orlando, Fla.
• Hitting the books: Five Sooners were named Tuesday to the Academic All-Big 12 Team.
Defensive end Larry Birdine, defensive tackle Carl Pendletonand fullback Dane Zaslaw earned first-team honors, while running back Jacob Gutierrez and linebacker Curtis Lofton were named to the second team.
By John Helsley
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