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OU Linebackers

When preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Travis Lewis broke a bone in his left foot and was declared out for at least eight weeks (four games), many Sooner fans worried that the talent at the linebacker position would suffer. But the OU coaching staff was not among the nervous: They knew that they had Corey Nelson ready to go. True sophomore Nelson comes highly touted from Texas, where he originally declared for Texas A&M. Aggie coaching turnover made him reconsider Oklahoma, and injury turnover jumped him into a starting spot on the defense.

But it's not his pedigree that has Stoops and co. excited. Nelson made the most of the spring practices, impressing the coaches with his speed, skill and anticipation. With Lewis in the line-up, defensive coordinator Brent Venables was working on hybrid schemes to get him, Nelson, middle linebacker Tom Wort and strong side linebacker Tony Jefferson all on the field at the same time. With the unavailability of Lewis, Nelson slides right into the rotation and will bring the Sooners' count of sophomore linebackers up to three.

Although the linebackers are young, the unit is not inexperienced: Wort and Jefferson both saw play time in the 2010 campaign, and Lewis will prowl the sidelines during practices and games to dispense wisdom and advice until he's gridiron-ready again. Nelson himself saw time last year, chalking up 21 tackles (11 solo, ten assisted). The Sooners expect that with a starting spot for the beginning of the season, Nelson will be an integral part of a defensive outfit that hopes to carry the Sooners through their schedule undefeated and on to a National Championship.

OU vs Texas 2011 Red River Rivalry

No matter how the teams are ranked, the Red River Rivalry is an incredible game annually: the 2010 season, which saw Oklahoma escape with a close 28-21 victory over the Longhorns, ended with the Sooners winning the Fiesta Bowl, while the Longhorns didn't go to a bowl game. The competition is that fierce.

The 2011 edition of the rivalry promises be another barn-burner, as Oklahoma starts the season out in the #1 slot in the preseason polls. Texas is lurking near the bottom of the top 25 (USA Today #24, AP unranked but with most votes received by an unranked team), looking to move up the list by crashing the Sooners' party.

By the sixth-week match-up, the battle-tested Sooners will have Top 25 teams Florida State and Missouri. The Longhorns will have had an easier schedule, playing Rice, Brigham Young, UCLA and Iowa State, none of whom were ranked in the preseason. Will the refining work in the Sooners' favor, or will Texas' warm-up set them off to a quick start against Oklahoma? Will Texas be able to bounce back from a rough 2010? Will the Sooners be able to stand up to the pressure of being the number one team in the nation?

The answers to all these questions will be on the line in the Red River Rivalry, as both teams see the contest as a litmus test. Ego, bragging rights, conference standing, bowl games and even the National Championship will be at stake. Here's to the Red River Rivalry.

OU Linebackers

OU vs Texas 2011 Red River Rivalry

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