Editor’s Note: This is the fifth of 11 articles previewing Kansas’ competition in the Big 12 Conference. The articles will run every day from now until Sept. 1. Tomorrow the Kansan will look at Texas.

For the first time since 2000, perennial favorite Oklahoma wasn’t picked to win the Big 12 conference in the media’s annual preseason poll.

This year the Sooners were picked second, behind the Texas Longhorns.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops isn’t a fan of preseason polls and said he doesn’t think they mean a lot once the season starts. Stoops also remembers that in 2000, when Oklahoma was picked second, the Sooners went on to win a national championship and haven’t won one since.

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma then freshman running back, attempts to break free from Ronnie Amadi, then junior cornerback, in Norman, Okla., last October. The Jayhawks will battle Oklahoma this season October 15 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

“It doesn’t really matter to me whether we are picked favorites or not,” Stoops said. “I say it a lot, or every year, as long as they are going to let us play, it doesn’t much matter. I feel great that we have an opportunity to be in there with anybody.”

If Oklahoma contends for a national championship this season, it will need another standout season from sophomore running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson finished second, the best finish ever by a freshman, in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He ran for 1,925 yards last season and had 15 touchdowns en route to becoming the first freshman in Oklahoma history to be named All-American.

There is more pressure on Peterson this year, because starting quarterback Jason White was lost to graduation. Stoops said to be successful this year, Oklahoma will need a balanced offensive attack, like in years past.

“We are not going to sit there and run him 40 times a game,” Stoops said. “We are going to do our best to have the kind of balance we have had.”

Stoops said he would like to involve Peterson more in the passing game because he only caught five passes last year for 12 yards.

Stoops hasn’t decided who will be throwing the passes to Peterson, as he has yet to announce the starting quarterback.

Junior Paul Thompson, sophomore Tommy Grady and freshman Rhett Bomar are battling to win the starting job.

Stoops said he was pleased with all three candidates so far and likes the athletic ability that all three possess.

With an inexperienced quarterback, it will be important for other offensive players to assume a leadership role this year.

Travis Wilson, senior wide receiver, will be one of the players expected to lead the offense. Wilson had a breakout year last season and caught 50 passes for 660 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wilson said he will be a leader, but whoever emerges as the starting quarterback will know what he as to do.

“They know what needs to be done,” Wilson said. “They will be able to handle it their own way. I throw in my two cents now and then and try to help our team out.”

On defense, the Sooners will be led by Dusty Dvoracek, senior defensive tackle. Dvoracek started the first two games last season then was dismissed from the team for the remainder of the season.

As a junior, Dvoracek was a consensus All-Big 12 first team selection and collected 16 tackles for a loss and had seven sacks.

Dvoracek will try to rejuvenate a unit that allowed 55 points in the national championship game last year. Dvoracek will be joined on defense by preseason Big 12 selections, Rufus Alexander, junior linebacker, and Larry Birdine, junior defensive lineman.

Stoops said he was confident that the defense will not experience a hangover from the national championship game last year.

“We are not sitting around talking about that,” Stoops said. “You know, each year is different. We have a different team.”

Oklahoma will start its hunt for a national championship on Sept. 3 with a home game against Texas Christian. The Sooners will battle the Longhorns in the Red River Shootout on Oct. 8. Oklahoma will close its season with a road game at Texas Tech.

Oklahoma Sooners 2005 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

09/03/2005 TCU Norman 11 a.m.

09/10/2005 Tulsa Norman 11:30 a.m.

09/17/2005 UCLA at Pasadena, Calif. 2:30 p.m.

10/01/2005 Kansas State Norman TBA

10/08/2005 Texas at Dallas noon

10/15/2005 Kansas at Kansas City, Mo. TBA

10/22/2005 Baylor Norman TBA

10/29/2005 Nebraska at Lincoln, Neb. TBA

11/12/2005 Texas A&M; Norman TBA

11/19/2005 Texas Tech at Lubbock, Texas TBA

11/26/2005 Oklahoma State Norman TBA

Source: www.soonersports.com

— Edited by Katie Lohrenz