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Bradford, Oklahoma meet McCoy, Texas in Red River Rivalry

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:17 AM (1) Oklahoma (5-0) vs. (5) Texas (5-0), 12:00 pm EDT

DALLAS (Ticker) -- Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy have thrust themselves to the top of most Heisman Trophy watch lists. The quarterbacks can strengthen their respective Heisman bids - and give their teams a major boost in the Big 12 Conference - in the latest edition of the Red River Rivalry.

Bradford and top-ranked Oklahoma square off with McCoy and No. 5 Texas in Saturday's 103rd meeting between these fierce Big 12 South Division rivals.

The contest will mark the fourth time in the last eight seasons that both the Sooners (5-0, 1-0 Big 12 South) and Longhorns (5-0, 1-0) are ranked inside the top five heading into their annual grudge match.

Last year, both powerhouse programs entered the Cotton Bowl reeling from upset losses in their previous games.

But thanks to Bradford and McCoy, Oklahoma and Texas will bring unbeaten records into this contest for the first time since 2004 - when the Sooners grinded out a 12-0 shutout of the Longhorns.

"We'll have everybody in America talking about the game, and that's what we all want," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "It's fun. It's what Texas and OU have wanted forever, and we have got it back."

Bradford arguably is the early front-runner for the Heisman courtesy of an incredible five-game stretch in which he has completed just under 73 percent of his passes for 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

Not to be outdone, McCoy has connected on over 79 percent of his attempts for 1,280 yards and 16 TDs with just three interceptions. The redshirt junior also is Texas' leading rusher with 317 yards and four scores.

"(McCoy) does a great job," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "Colt's a great competitor, great athlete, excellent thrower. He's a sharp guy. We've got to be really sharp competing against him."

McCoy passed for 262 yards and two TDs last weekend as the Longhorns coasted past Colorado, 38-14, in their Big 12 opener.

Chris Ogbonnaya gained 187 yards from scrimmage and scored twice for Texas, which clearly did not get caught looking ahead to its showdown with the Sooners. Last year, the Longhorns were stunned at home by Kansas State in the game prior to the Red River Rivalry.

Oklahoma entered last year's contest in similar fashion following a shocking upset loss at Colorado. But the Sooners did not fall into that trap this year, as they steamrolled Baylor, 49-17, last weekend.

Bradford passed for 372 yards and two TDs and also ran for a score as the Sooners raced to a 35-7 lead in the second quarter.

Texas owns a 57-40-5 record in the all-time series, but Oklahoma has won six of the last eight meetings.

Bradford emerged as a legitimate college star in last year's Red River Rivalry game, passing for 244 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Sooners to a 28-21 victory.