OU notebook

Published: November 15, 2006

Oklahoma's five-game winning streak hasn't resulted in much movement in the rankings.

While upsets ruled the college landscape a week ago, the Sooners rose just one spot in both the AP and coaches polls.

"That is frustrating," OU quarterback Paul Thompson said. "It's unfortunate that there are some teams ahead of us that I don't think should be.

"Hopefully, in the end, if we take care of what we need to take care of, people will recognize that and put where we need to be."

• BCS grumblings: OU didn't move at all in the BCS rankings over the weekend, holding firm at No. 17.

So much for any extra consideration in regard to the Oregon loss.

Four two-loss teams stand ahead of the Sooners: LSU, Texas, Auburn and California.

Still, Sooners coach Bob Stoops isn't counting the Sooners out of BCS bowl talk just yet.

"I've got the energy and the focus on what we can do," Stoops said. "I think some people get a little uptight right now when there's a lot of games left. And a lot of times, things shake out."

• • Shaken and stirred: As wide receivers and roommates, Manuel Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias are close. So it wasn't easy for Iglesias to watch as Johnson laid on the ground, motionless, after taking a hit to the head Saturday night.

"I thought he was mad, because he fumbled the ball," Iglesias said. "When he didn't get up, I sat there and prayed."

Iglesias said it was difficult, too, re-focusing on the game after Johnson was immobilized and carted off the field.

"Seeing him like that, and he's not moving, it stays in your mind," Iglesias said.

• Still redshirting: In recent weeks, with injuries to running backs Adrian Peterson and Allen Patrick, coaches didn't dismiss the thought of pulling freshman Mossis Madu out of redshirt. Now, with two regular-season games remaining, that thought is all but gone.

"We were talking about him as far back as the Middle Tennessee game," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Tuesday. "‘Should we get him in?' The main reason we held on some of those guys is the games got so short, we just didn't think we needed the substitution as much. We just said, ‘Hey, let's hold it.' "

By John Helsley