Oklahoma
2nd Big 1210-2
Texas El Paso
9th Conference USA3-9
Oklahoma @ Texas El Paso preview
Sun Bowl Stadium
Fourth-ranked Oklahoma and senior quarterback Landry Jones aren't exactly flying under the radar, but enter Saturday's season opener at Texas-El Paso with less fanfare than usual. Jones is the nation's active leader in touchdown passes (93) and passing yards (12,379) - both Oklahoma records, but wasn't the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. That honor went to West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, although Oklahoma freshman wide receiver Trey Metoyer was voted top newcomer. Despite the loss of Ryan Broyles, the NCAA FBS all-time receptions leader with 349 now in the NFL, Jones is expected to have a strong stable of wideouts. The Sooners were 10th in points last season while the Miners were 86th in scoring defense. Oklahoma will be the highest-ranked team Texas-El Paso has hosted at the Sun Bowl. The Miners are 4-47 against Top 25 teams, including 0-5 versus top five squads.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Oklahoma -31
ABOUT OKLAHOMA (2011: 10-3, 6-3 Big 12): The Sooners were picked to win their eighth Big 12 title in the preseason poll, garnering 32 of the 41 first-place votes. Metoyer, who had 108 receptions for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Whitehouse (Texas) High School in 2010, leads a strong contingent of freshmen expected to make an impact for Oklahoma. Jones led the nation's No. 5 passing attack last season at 349.4 yards per game and the offense was 10th in scoring (39.5). The Sooners, who lost Broyles to a season-ending knee injury Nov. 5, stumbled to a 4-3 finish, though, including a 44-10 loss to Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale. Mike Stoops, younger brother of coach Bob, rejoins Oklahoma for a second stint as defensive coordinator. He was relieved of his duties as Arizona coach Oct. 11 after compiling a 41-50 record in seven-plus seasons.
ABOUT TEXAS-EL PASO (2011: 5-7, 2-6 Conference USA): The Miners were selected to finish tied for fifth with Tulane in the C-USA's West Division. Texas-El Paso lost its top three rushers from last season and returns the fourth-fewest rushing yards (258) among FBS schools. Senior quarterback Nick Lamaison, a preseason C-USA selection who threw for 1,718 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, retains his top two receivers, though - Michael Edwards and Jordan Leslie. The Miners also must shore up a defense which finished 86th in points allowed at 30.3 last season. Lineman Horace Miller, who led the team with five sacks in 2011, returns to anchor what is expected to be the cornerstone of the defense. Mike Price begins his 31st season as a head coach. He is 45-52 in eight seasons at Texas-El Paso. The Miners' tough non-conference schedule also includes games at Ole Miss and at No. 12 Wisconsin.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Oklahoma has won the two previous meetings - 55-14 in 2000 and 68-0 in 2002 - both in Norman.
2. The Sooners are 89-22-6 in openers, including 11-2 under Bob Stoops.
3. Oklahoma is 5-0 in its last five non-conference games against the spread.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma 49, Texas-El Paso 10
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Oklahoma -31
ABOUT OKLAHOMA (2011: 10-3, 6-3 Big 12): The Sooners were picked to win their eighth Big 12 title in the preseason poll, garnering 32 of the 41 first-place votes. Metoyer, who had 108 receptions for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Whitehouse (Texas) High School in 2010, leads a strong contingent of freshmen expected to make an impact for Oklahoma. Jones led the nation's No. 5 passing attack last season at 349.4 yards per game and the offense was 10th in scoring (39.5). The Sooners, who lost Broyles to a season-ending knee injury Nov. 5, stumbled to a 4-3 finish, though, including a 44-10 loss to Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale. Mike Stoops, younger brother of coach Bob, rejoins Oklahoma for a second stint as defensive coordinator. He was relieved of his duties as Arizona coach Oct. 11 after compiling a 41-50 record in seven-plus seasons.
ABOUT TEXAS-EL PASO (2011: 5-7, 2-6 Conference USA): The Miners were selected to finish tied for fifth with Tulane in the C-USA's West Division. Texas-El Paso lost its top three rushers from last season and returns the fourth-fewest rushing yards (258) among FBS schools. Senior quarterback Nick Lamaison, a preseason C-USA selection who threw for 1,718 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, retains his top two receivers, though - Michael Edwards and Jordan Leslie. The Miners also must shore up a defense which finished 86th in points allowed at 30.3 last season. Lineman Horace Miller, who led the team with five sacks in 2011, returns to anchor what is expected to be the cornerstone of the defense. Mike Price begins his 31st season as a head coach. He is 45-52 in eight seasons at Texas-El Paso. The Miners' tough non-conference schedule also includes games at Ole Miss and at No. 12 Wisconsin.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Oklahoma has won the two previous meetings - 55-14 in 2000 and 68-0 in 2002 - both in Norman.
2. The Sooners are 89-22-6 in openers, including 11-2 under Bob Stoops.
3. Oklahoma is 5-0 in its last five non-conference games against the spread.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma 49, Texas-El Paso 10