Q & A for Oklahoma vs. Nebraska

November 5, 8:35 PMOklahoma Sooners Football ExaminerBryan Waters

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Landry Jones, behind a still-inexperienced OL, will be pressured by Nebraska's sturdy front four.
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

That shining star of Hollywood, Joan Collins, now toiling on her fourth marriage, this one to a dude 32 years her junior, once said, "The key to having a personal life is not answering too many questions about it."

Well, Joan, it's not that way here at Examiner.com.  When a fellow beat writer asks provocative questions about an upcoming Oklahoma game and includes the pronoun "you" in three of the five queries, I'm forced to give my personal opinions.  

This week it's Nebraska Cornhusker Examiner Trent Gierhan.  Below are my answers to Trent's five questions.  Click here to read Trent's analysis of Saturday's game.

1.This season obviously hasn't panned out like the Sooners expected. That being said, what's the mentality of the team and it's fans for the rest of the year?

You are right. A BCS title was on everybody's mind. Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, a Heisman winner and a preseason All-American--and two near-consensus Top 10 draft picks in the April 2009 NFL draft--were returning. An experienced defense was a year older. It seemed like money in the bank.

Like financial markets, maybe there was a little too much speculation. Especially when it came to the offensive line. In the shadow of four new starters on the OL, first Gresham, then Bradford, went down. The close loss to BYU wasn't an end-all disaster. The team's mentality remained focused, especially after two convincing shutouts. Then came the agonizing loss to Miami. So close, so conservative, so many small plays not made. The Sooners' BCS chances died that night.

Then Bradford came back against Baylor, and the offense clicked. Did you see Oklahoma, on its first possession, march right down the field against Texas? I think OU would have beaten Texas by four touchdowns if Bradford hadn't gone down. But he did. And again, OU lost another tight game.

Now have come two wins against Kansas and Kansas State, respectively. QB Landry Jones is now the guy. I've said it before, and will keep saying it until my eyes see differently: Oklahoma isn't just the best 5-3 team in college football this year. They're the best 5-3 team in college football history. Not even close.

The mentality of the team remains steadfast. No quitting, no self-pity. Some fans have jumped ship since the BCS title is now at least a year away. I surmise that the team and the fans see talent and promise of a national championship-caliber future.

2. How well do you anticipate Landry Jones performing in what is arguably the most hostile environment he will face this season?

It's basic. His OL will have to protect. Nebraska has the best front four OU has seen or will see. I don't think Jones will panic when he gets pressure. His nature is to remain calm.  But pressure will diminish his effectiveness.

3. What will be the key to Oklahoma moving the ball against one of the better defenses in the country?

Protection, protection, protection. That's first. Second, Sooner Nation would love to see Oklahoma become less conservative on offense. The Sooners almost always try to keep a 50-50 balance of runs and passes on first down. Against Nebraska, what would be so wrong with 75-25 pass plays?

4. Which Sooner do you anticipate having the biggest impact on Saturday?

TE/WR DeJuan Miller. This is the second consecutive week I've predicted Miller to be the key. Last week I was dead-on. He had a career game against Kansas State with nine catches and 94 yards. Look for him to go over the middle more, especially when the Cornhuskers may be looking for the run.

5. What would you say is Oklahoma's biggest obstacle for pulling out a victory in Lincoln? Prediction?

The biggest obstacle will be the same biggest obstacle Oklahoma has overcome only twice in the past four years: Winning a tight game. The defense will keep it close. Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops changed placekickers two weeks ago. In came Tress Way, out went Jimmy Stevens. That move might pay off Saturday: Oklahoma 16, Nebraska 14.

For more information:

          Oklahoma readies for rival Nebraska

          The counter-cultural Sam Bradford

          ESPN's irresponsible reporting