Oklahoma Will Beat Texas If….

Before Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham got injured, I was very confident that Bradford would lead Oklahoma to a victory over Texas. Now that the Sooners are 3-2 with Gresham out for the season, my prediction for this game has changed. How much does Oklahoma miss Gresham? The Sooners have converted only 15 touchdowns on 25 red zone trips, compared to 26 touchdowns on 27 trips at this time last season. In order for the Sooners to beat the Longhorns, Bradford has to have a great day in the red zone.

The Sooners barely use their tight ends with Gresham inured and wide receiver Ryan Broyles will get the start in the Red River Rivalry. He is only 5-11, 178 pounds, but he is one of the quickest receivers in college football.  Expect to see Bradford try to hit Broyles on quick slants over the middle and don’t be surprised to see Broyles on a reverse or an end-around in the red zone.

DeMarco Murray is a very good college running back, but the Sooners will not be able to run the ball against the Longhorns’ great run defense. Bradford still has great games left in him this season and this could be the game that turns the Sooners’ season around. Wide Receiver Brandon Caleb caught seven balls for 139 yards last week against Baylor and Braford will also look his way in the red zone. The Longhorns will win this game, as McCoy will have one of the best games of his great college career. If the Sooners win this game, it will be largely because of the success they had in the red zone.