The Football Brainiacs

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* Show Up: Based on the last three years, this would probably be a good place to start. How an OU team could ever show up flat for this game, of all games, I’ll never understand. But that has certainly been the case in the last three contests, in which OU and Bob Stoops are incredibly fortunate not to be 0-3.

If they make it four years in a row….look out.

* Breakout WR: After what could only be described as an incredibly disappointing performance coming out of the TCU game for anyone not named Dede Westbrook, the OU wide receiver unit will be looking to make a name for themselves against one of the country’s worst secondaries (not including their own, lulz).

Whether it’s AD Miller, Nick Basquine, Geno Lewis, Jordan Smallwood, or whomever. Frankly, I don’t really care just so long as it’s someone.

* Primed Perine: Probably not a coincidence that Samaje Perine looked like his vintage self now that Big 12 play has started. Which is not intended to be a shot at the workhorse RB so much as a statement of the obvious regarding Big 12 defenses.

And while Texas’ front isn’t exactly the ’85 Bears, they definitely have talent and should present one of the more formidable threats in the Big 12 from a defensive standpoint.

Plus Charlie Strong will be coaching for his job (again) calling the defense this week so….

* Flawed Front: I thought we finally saw Mike Stoops loosen up the reigns last week in the second half against TCU and get aggressive with his front. However now down both Charles Walker & Matt Dimon for Saturday, will the Sooners DC go conservative once again?

One would certainly hope not considering they will be facing a true freshman quarterback who, until this past week, was rather fond of throwing the deep ball (routes which obviously take a while to develop).

* Big Game Baker: After two incredibly disappointing performances against Houston & Ohio State, we finally saw Baker back to being Baker last week against TCU. And now here we go into another ‘big’ game for Mayfield, the Austin native.

Does he press again, knowing what’s on the line for Texas/Strong as well as not having played well in this same game last year (or OU as a team the previous three years as previously mentioned)?

If I had to bet, I’d say we see one hell of a game from the OU signal-caller.

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What will YOU be watching for Saturday morning afternoon?