Oklahoma got here into this season with out its beginning quarterback Rhett Bomar and 7 weeks in the past Adrian Perterson, the very best again within the nation, went down with a damaged collarbone. After shedding its high two offensive weapons, one would suppose that Oklahoma’s BCS bowl hopes could be shot. Nonetheless, the Sooners have stored on successful (and so they bought some assist from Texas) and so they have discovered themselves in place to play within the Fiesta Bowl on New 12 months’s Day with a win over the Nebraska Corn Huskers at Arrowhead Stadium.
Senior Paul Thompson, who had conceded to again up obligation, changed Bomar at quarterback this season and has actually come on of late throwing 10 landing passes in opposition to simply two interceptions throughout Oklahoma’s present seven-game successful streak. Adrian Peterson’s injury seemed to be Oklahoma’s knockout blow. The 2004 Heisman Trophy runner up had racked up 935 yards and 10 touchdowns within the season’s first six games earlier than happening with injury. Stoops is not going to take any probabilities inserting Peterson into the lineup this Saturday regardless of the proficient again exhibiting quite a lot of progress. Stoops’ determination was probably made simpler by the truth that his group has rushed for 224 yards or extra in 4 of their final 5 games together with a season-high 238 yards final week in opposition to Oklahoma State. Junior tailback Allen Patrick has picked up a lot of the slack with 4 straight 100-yard games lucky bet.
Regardless of each of those storied faculty soccer packages being perennial rivals within the former Massive Eight, Oklahoma and Nebraska have by no means met in a Massive 12 Convention title game. Nebraska is partially responsible for that because the Huskers have not appeared within the convention championship game in 7 seasons.
After a number of subpar years, hideous seasons by Nebraska requirements, “The Massive Crimson Machine” has been revitalized by Invoice Callahan and his move oriented offense which seems a lot completely different than the old choice units we had been used to seeing for thus a few years. Senior quarterback Zac Taylor makes this offense work. He has thrown for a faculty document 2,789 yards this season with 24 landing passes and simply 4 interceptions whereas main the Huskers high-powered offensive assault which is averaging 33.9ppg and 434 yards of whole offense.
The Huskers ran the table within the Massive 12 North going 5-0, however they dropped two of three games in opposition to the South division this season. Will Nebraska regain its stronghold on the convention or will Oklahoma conquer another hurdle this season to go BCS bowling but once more? I’m so assured in Saturday’s successful facet that I’ve made this Massive 12 Championship matchup my Massive 12 Game of the 12 months. Ensure you’re on board this Saturday for the most important winner within the Massive 12 this season.