The top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners begin Big 12 Conference play Saturday, Sept. 24 when they square off against the Missouri Tigers at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.
Oklahoma, which is 2-0 this season, is coming off a 23-13 victory over Florida State while Missouri, which is 2-1 this season, comes in having beaten Western Illinois, 69-0.
Last season, Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel and the Tigers upset the Sooners, 36-27, in Columbia, Mo. Oklahoma came into the game ranked No. 1 in the BCS poll while Missouri came in ranked No. 18.
“We got embarrassed with the way we played last year against Missouri,” Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops said. “What works for us is the way you prepare, the way you work and the way you play the game. We are very aware of who we are playing next week. It's our first conference game, they are an excellent team, we were No. 1 last year when they beat us and there is a lot of respect there. We understand what a game this is going to be.”
Sophomore quarterback James Franklin will lead Missouri’s twelve-ranked offense, which averages 512 yards a game. The Tigers’ balanced offensive attack also features sophomore running back Henry Jones, who rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries last week.
Missouri’s sixteenth-ranked defense allows just over 268 yards a game. However, Oklahoma will have a tough time running the ball against a defensive line that includes junior Brad Madison. Madison, a preseason All-Big 12 first team selection, has recorded eight tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble so far this season.
With last year’s loss in mind, the Sooners will be ready for whatever comes their way Saturday, senior offensive lineman Donald Stephenson said.
“I do remember last year,” Stephenson said. “It wasn't a good feeling and I definitely think we're a better team going against them this time. They won't see the same team this year like they did last year.”
Oklahoma leads the series against Missouri, 66-24-5, including a 31-8-5 mark at home. The Tigers’ last win in Norman, Okla. came in 1966. Since then, the Sooners have won 17 straight meetings in Norman, Okla.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m.
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