And while in previous years it may or may not have proved to be true at least as many times as it proved to be little more than bluster, at this point what to Norvell and Texas really have to lose? Two have been blowouts and two come following agonizing special teams gaffes.
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Texas is 1-4 on the season, 0-2 in the Big 12, 1-4 against the spread and 3-2 with the under. Through four games, Heard has thrown for 661 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 318 yards and three scores.
Four starts into his career, we know Heard is an electric talent as a rusher.
In 2000, running back Quentin Griffin racked up a program best six rushing touchdowns to help lead the Sooners to a 63-14 win over Texas.
Mayes also remembers Mayfield sending him encouraging messages this season – even when Texas was playing Oklahoma. They’re putting up close to 300 yards a game on first downs and doing so on a 60-40 run-pass split. An OU punt had the Longhorns pinned at their own three-yard line and Texas quarterback Chris Simms needed a 97-yard touchdown drive to give UT the win. The Sooners defense will once again be called on to deliver a big performance against Jerrod Heard and the Longhorns.
If Texas is hoping to upset the Sooners on Saturday, chances are that Heard will have a lot to do with it. Texas also needs a difference-maker in the return game if Daje Johnson is out as expected. Instead of the Sooners continuing their undefeated season, they were sent back to Norman after losing 36-20. “In the unfortunate event the Sooners pull off a win, the Oklahoma City Rescue Mission will receive a few of the finest barbecue Texas has to offer – a prize valued far more than any trophy”. The Longhorns’ missed senior offensive lineman Kent Perkins against the Horned Frogs. As if Texas’ season wasn’t bad enough, the school says its longhorn steer mascot Bevo has a “life-threatening condition” and won’t be at the game.
The Longhorns will try to get big plays from wide receivers John Burt and Armanti Foreman on Saturday.
TCU coach Gary Patterson even served up a zinger before the game. Oklahoma is riding a wave of momentum after its win against the Mountaineers.
Tracking how Oklahoma’s shift to an Air Raid-style offense has had an impact on its offensive production has been fun to follow.
It’s hard for any team to not overlook a 1-4 opponent, but it would be a massive mistake by the Sooners to show up to the Cotton Bowl unprepared. Texas’ defense has given up plays this season and Mayfield can take advantage of a struggling defense.
“Prohibited items at Cotton Bowl Stadium include: “all Bags, including backpacks; Purses that exceed 10″ x 10″; all weapons of any sort; alcoholic beverages of any kind; cameras with detachable lenses greater than 10”; food and beverages and strollers.
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While Texas will be in the game early, Oklahoma will be too much for the Longhorns to beat.
