Mean Green's Revamped 'd' Meets Undermanned Sooner Backfie

[Eagle-96]

http://hub.ou.edu/articles/article.php?ite...on_id=664781553

MEAN GREEN'S REVAMPED 'D' MEETS UNDERMANNED SOONER BACKFIELD

By Royce Young/The Daily

A week ago, it looked like OU’s main strength against North Texas’ main weakness would likely be the key storyline following the game.

Last season, the Mean Green gave up 149 yards rushing per game, and is starting a number of new players on the defense. OU returns a massive offensive line that averages 317 pounds among the five starters, along with arguably the deepest set of running backs in the Big 12 Conference.

But after a suspension and a nagging injury, the strength of the Sooner backfield doesn’t look as strong. Sophomore Chris Brown is out due to suspension and senior Allen Patrick is still questionable due to an ankle injury.

That leaves two tailbacks who have never had a collegiate carry and another that is coming off major knee surgery.

And with OU christening a new starting quarterback in redshirt freshman Sam Bradford, it was assumed the running backs would see a bunch of carries. But the coaching staff has said it’s confident in the three running backs and still isn’t ruling out Patrick.

“The last time Jacob Gutierrez was out there, he rushed for 170 yards. We’ve seen what DeMarco Murray can do against a pretty decent defense out there. Mossis Madu has been awfully good,” said head coach Bob Stoops. “All those guys will play and we’ll see how far along we get Allen. It’s our intention to work him to be ready to play.”

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said earlier this week that he believes a team makes the most improvement from week one to week two, meaning he wants to every player that is able to play.

“You go out and put every bullet in the gun and don’t hold anything back. This is what we are, this is what we do,” Wilson said “Because you make most strides from week one to week two, you don’t want to go out playing week one with your hand tied behind your back and on one leg. You want to come out firing and flying.”

North Texas first-year head coach Todd Dodge is attempting to remedy his defense’s main deficiency by making a switch back to the 4-3 scheme.

Dodge also will counter the Sooner’s offensive attack with his own unique setup — the same run-and-gun spread offense he used to go 79-1 the last five years at Southlake Carroll High School.

“It’s all relative. He’s got bigger and better players now. I expect he’ll do an excellent job there,” Stoops said. “You don’t win that much and have that much success over a period of time without communicating well with your players and motivating and getting them to understand what they’re expected to do.”

Dodge’s 2005 state championship team set a state record by averaging 47.8 points per game and his last three state championship teams all led the state in total offense and all averaged over 500 yards per game. His offense at North Texas really has no where to go but up as last year they ranked 117th in the nation in passing and total offense and averaged just around 13 points a game.

“I think as much as anything they’re a team with a really good running back that will try to spread you out and try to run it,” Stoops said. “Anymore, we’re used to seeing this style of play. Everybody has their different wrinkles and I don’t mean to say anybody’s the same, but we’re used to seeing it.”

But now, what looks to be the Mean Green’s strength will be countered by OU’s defensive muscle. The Sooner secondary is being touted as the best in the Big 12. Some are calling it the best in the country. With the move of senior D.J. Wolfe to safety and talented experience in Reggie Smith, Nic Harris, Marcus Walker and Lendy Holmes, the secondary seems secure.

“I just think overall the group has been building. I want to see them come up and start fast and be a really solid group,” Stoops said.