GAME NOTES: The 102nd edition of the Red River Rivalry takes center stage this weekend in Dallas, as Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas battle it out in the Cotton Bowl. Both teams are coming off stunning losses and both took a fall in the recent polls as a result. Bob Stoops' Sooners were in the top-five a week ago, but lost at Colorado, 27-24 in their Big 12-opener to fall to the 10th spot in the Top-25. Similarly, the Longhorns suffered their own defeat in their conference-opener, getting routed by a tough Kansas State program, 41-21. The loss sent Mack Brown's squad tumbling to the 19th spot in the polls. This is one of the greatest rivalries in college football, with Texas holding a 57-39-5 all-time advantage. Since moving the game to Dallas in 1929, Texas leads, 45-35-4. The last 10 meetings have been split (5-5). This is the 33rd time in the series that both squads come into the contest ranked in the Top-25.

The Oklahoma offense has proved to be a formidable unit this season, but despite still averaging a hefty 54.0 ppg on nearly 500 yards of offense (495.8), the team fell way short of those averages against the Buffaloes last week. Young QB Sam Bradford had his first bump in the road, completing just 8- of-19 pass attempts, with one TD and two interceptions. The numbers on the year have been much better, with the freshman completing 72.5 percent of his passes, for 1,179 yards with 15 TDs and four interceptions. Juaquin Iglesias leads the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (459) and has three TDs to his credit, but it has been the big play capability of Malcolm Kelly (17 receptions, for 349 yards and seven TDs) that opponents need to gameplan for. The passing attack is made that much more potent thanks to a ground game that nets 225.4 yards per game on 5.6 yards per carry. Allen Patrick (7.7 ypc) and DeMarco Murray (6.3 ypc) share the workload. The pair have combined for 717 yards and 13 TDs thus far. On the year, the Sooners have scored a whopping 17 TDs on the ground.

The Sooners blew a 24-7 lead against Colorado last week and that certainly has not been the norm for this advantageous defense in 2007. In fact, OU still ranks among the nation's elite stop units, yielding just 14.8 ppg, on a mere 263.6 yards of total offense (sixth nationally). The rush defense is almost impenetrable at 67.6 ypg (seventh nationally), while the pass defense has been solid as well (196.0 ypg). Getting upfield and making plays is the key to OU's success, ranking third in the nation with 10.4 TFLs per outing. The team also ranks fifth in the country in sacks (3.8 per game). Leading the way in that category is sophomore end Auston English. Of his 14 total tackles, half (7) have come behind the line of scrimmage, including a team-high four sacks. Junior MLB Curtis Lofton has been tremendous this season, leading the team in tackles with 58 stops in the first five games. Sophomore LB Ryan Reynolds is a distant second in tackles (38), but paces the team in TFLs (7.5). This is an opportunistic bunch, forcing 12 turnovers this season, including nine interceptions.

The Longhorns are not the offensive juggernaut that Oklahoma is, but the team has certainly been productive on that side of the ball. UT is averaging a solid 33.8 ppg this year, with a good mix of the run (172.4 ypg) and the pass (254.2 ypg). Sophomore QB Colt McCoy has played to mixed reviews thus far. He has completed a steady 63.4 percent of his passes, but has thrown eight TDs compared to nine interceptions. McCoy's top targets in the vertical game have been Nate Jones (33 receptions, for 323 yards and two TDs) and Quan Cosby (28 receptions, for 246 yards and two TDs). Tailback Jamaal Charles is one of the top backs in the Big 12 and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry in 2007. Charles has rushed for 543 yards in the first five games and is responsible for seven of the team's 10 rushing scores to date. McCoy will need to get the offense going early against Oklahoma this weekend. The team struggled in the loss to KSU, accumulating just 330 yards of total offense, as McCoy completed just 19- of-39 passes, for 200 yards, with one TD and four INTs.

The Longhorns were in a whole they couldn't dig out of against Kansas State, but it wasn't necessarily the defense's fault. The team gave up two touchdowns on returns and one interception return for a score. The defense however, allowed just 272 yards of total offense in the game. The unit has played well all season long, giving up just 302.8 yards of total offense, showing a particular strength against the run (88.8 ypg). All-American candidate Marcus Griffin leads the way from the secondary. The senior safety paces the team in tackles with 42 stops. He also has one interception and a fumble recovery to his credit. Senior CB Brandon Foster (29 tackles) has been a top playmaker as well, responsible for three takeaways (one INT and two fumble recoveries). Senior DT Frank Okam has provided the most pressure on opposing QBs, leading the way with 3.5 sacks.

This will be another classic battle between two of the nation's premier programs. There is plenty of hype for this one, but behind a more potent offense, Oklahoma should get the early upper hand in the always competitive Big 12 South.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 31, Texas 21