FAMU Takes On Herculean Challenge: Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. (CBS Sports) — Kickoff is Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Sports Pay Per View. Here's a preview of this game of David vs. Goliath:
Spread: No line
Watchability: Unless you're either 1) a diehard OU or FAMU fan, or 2) just desperate to see if the Sooners can shake off the cobwebs after a lethargic performance in their season-opening win over UTEP, there is absolutely no reason to pay your hard-earned money to watch this on television.
Shining stars: Florida A&M: Brandon Hepburn. The season started in disappointing fashion for FAMU, which lost 17-14 at Tennessee State. But Hepburn, a linebacker, turned in a solid showing, registering 10 total tackles (including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks) and a fumble forced and recovered. Oklahoma: Damien Williams. One of the few bright spots in OU's 24-7 win at UTEP was the junior running back, who turned in a 103-yard performance on only 10 carries. His 65-yard run for a touchdown served to finally end any notion of an upset.
Who could steal the show: Florida A&M: Eddie Rocker. The Rattlers' offense struggled in the team's season-opener, but Rocker had a strong showing, finishing with 90 yards on 13 carries. FAMU will need him to hit for several big plays (he had a 33-yard scamper against Tennessee State) to stay even remotely competitive. OU did allow 177 rushing yards for UTEP's Nathan Jeffery. Oklahoma: Trey Metoyer. The highly touted freshman receiver had a quieter-than-expected season opener, finishing with only 21 yards on four grabs. Given a week to stew over that showing and a softer opponent to face, Metoyer may do big things against the Rattlers.
You going? Ranking the road trip: The Sooners are the rare traditional power in college football who actually opened the season with a true road game, so fans in Norman should be fired up to see their team play in person. The place just missed CBSSports.com writer Bruce Feldman's list of the 10 loudest stadiums he has ever been to -- though if the place gets that loud this weekend, it will probably be because the fans are getting restless.
Magic number for Florida A&M: 1979. That was the last time the program beat an FBS program, a 16-13 win over Miami (Fla.). Since then, every FBS opponent the Rattlers have faced has scored at least 38 points and won by at least 20.
Magic number for Oklahoma: 170-2. That is the combined score of Bob Stoops' three games (all wins, obviously) against FCS foes during his time at OU. To say things might get ugly for the Rattlers could be a bit of an understatement.
The game comes down to: How angry the Sooners are after the disappointment of the opening week. Stoops was probably not fun for players to be around this week (if his Monday press conference was any indication, he hasn't been fun for anyone to be around). Oklahoma is expected to thump Florida A&M, and this time, it should make good on that promise.
Prediction: Oklahoma 59, Florida A&M 3
