OU football notebook

OU's list of potential stumbling blocks to this season is well documented.

Incidents, injuries to key players ? nothing has sidetracked the Sooners.

Even relying on a fourth-team tailback of late, they enter the Bedlam game 9-2 with an outside shot at a BCS bowl.

"This is the ultimate team game," said Sooners coach Bob Stoops. "Whether it's Michael Vick or LaDainian Tomlinson or whoever, they don't do it alone. There are guys who are blocking for them, who are making plays for them. Everybody helps each other.

"It's easy for fans or media to segment it. But it's all a team game. I think it's fair to say that through all of this, we have proven to be a pretty strong team, not just one or two individuals are carrying everybody."

• Tickets anyone? Tickets for Saturday's game have been available throughout the week, rare for any major Bedlam event.

But at $250, $300 and $600 a ticket, both OU and OSU fans are balking.

Stoops jokingly encouraged fans in crimson to grab all available seats.

"Hopefully some of those OU people buy the extra ones," Stoops said. "Get as many there as we can, right. Get more red in there if we're able to."

• Sun and fun: OU's Garrett Hartley said he was honored to be a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the country's best kicker.

But he's also got his eye on the trip to the award presentation ? in Orlando, Fla.

"I was looking at the itinerary," Hartley said. "I'm out there about five days. What beats that when I could be studying?"

• Plenty to worry about: OSU's offense, which ranks first in the Big 12 and seventh nationally, is a two-pronged attack that has produced wins with a heavy emphasis running or passing.

The Cowboys average 216.2 rushing and 197.1 through the air.

It may be the most balanced offense the Sooners have faced all season.

"They've got the combination that say a Texas brings in its run game, and of course they have the ability to spread you out and attack you vertically and underneath in the passing game," said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

"It forces you to be really good at a lot of things."

By John Helsley