Dave’s Worry Meter – HIGH ALERT!
The worry meter is in the red. Big worry. Florida State will be the best offense that OU sees all year. I just hope that Mark Stoops has not had enough time to shape up their defense.
OU and FSU have played 5 times and OU holds a 4-1 edge. Maybe OU has their number. I hope so after what we saw last week. — Dave
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THE STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW
Kickoff: 2:30 pm, Owen Field – Sell Out
Last week might have been a close one. This week will be a big one.
In what some sports pundits call the most important game in years for both programs the Florida State vs. Oklahoma matchup Saturday will be either a major bust for the loser or a major boost for the winner. Here’s what you need to know about the game:
What’s at stake
Oklahoma is protecting the nation’s longest home winning streak. A win Saturday pushes that to 32. QB Landry Jones needs to play well to boost the confidence of this team and reverse a trend he set last year of not playing well against ranked teams (albet mostly on the road, he through 3 TDS, but 8 interceptions against ranked teams last year).
A solid defensive effort against FSU’s QB Christian Ponder (rated second in passing in the country now) will set the tone for the remainder of the year.
Dos and Don’ts 
Oklahoma should not punt to FSU returner specialist Greg Reid. He’s dangerous. So, while you’re admiring the 80 yard punting of Tress Way, hope he doesn’t out kick the coverage and allow Reid to score on the kicking team. Reid led the nation in punt returning last season with an average of 18.4 yards per return and returned the first punt he got his hands on this season 74 yards for a touchdown last week against Samford
Do get pressure on Ponder. This will be a big game for Ronnell Lewis, who fans should see quite a bit more of this week than last. Also, Jeremy Beal has to play better — something this veteran is very capable of doing.
Do throw to the tight end. Mark Stoops zone defenses will try to force Landry Jones to throw over the middle where the Seminole linebackers can get involved. That’s fine. Oklahoma should take what the defense gives them and get the running backs and tight ends involved in pass receptions. No FSU linebacker is a match for true freshman RB Brennan Clay in the open field — and the Sooners were lining him up at slot receiver through the Utah State game.
Television
The 2:30 CT kickoff will be broadcast on ABC to most of the nation, except for some folks in Iowa who would rather watch Iowa play Iowa State in a snoozer. Announcers will be Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Jeannine Edwards. See the national television coverage map here.
Brother vs. Brother
All the talk this week is how this game matches big brother Bob against little brother Mark Stoops, who is the defensive coordinator at Florida State. What does Mom think about this? Check out a good story here.
Players to Watch
For Oklahoma: #7 RB Demarco Murray – expect the Sooners to work hard to establish a running game. If they do, then the Sooners control this game.
For Florida State: #7 QB Christian Ponder – some say he’s a Heisman candidate. He completed 12 passes last week, but four were for TDs. #13 LB Nigel Bradham – Junior LB leading the Seminoles in tackles. #5 Greg Reid – kick return specialist is a big threat.
Who has the advantage?
- O-Line: FSU
- D-Line: OU
- Running Backs: OU
- Quarter Backs: FSU
- Linebackers: OU
- Secondary: Toss Up
- Kicking game: FSU
- Receivers: Toss Up
Preparation
The Seminoles are preparing for a loud OU crowd at Memorial Stadium. In practice this week they have been whispering to become accustomed to the acoustical difficulties they may encounter. Oklahoma assistant Jay Norvell has “tweeted” that OU practices this week have been “spirited.”
You’re dreaming
Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis said this week he hoped the Seminoles were overlooking the Sooners, given OU’s poor performance against Utah State. That seems unlikely. The Seminoles are going to be veryhigh for this game. They do play BYU next week, but Florida State expects to win that one at home.
Players back
DE Frank Alexander is expected to play Saturday but not be 100 percent. Mossis Madu will play for the first time this year. He was suspended for the Utah State game due to a summertime DUI.
Memories
Saturday’s Game Day program for Oklahoma vs. Florida State will feature former player Cory Wilson, who was seriously injured in an auto accident and has fought to regain his ability to walk.
History
Last time Florida State played Oklahoma was in the 2000 BCS national championship game. The Sooners won, of course, 13-2. Oklahoma is 4-1 against Florida State, winning the 1979 and 1980 season Orange Bowl games against them. The only loss was in the 1964 Gator Bowl.
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