SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – To a man, the West Virginia players and coaches are convinced that Oklahoma is the best team in the country. The 11-2 Sooners have won five Big 12 titles in the last six years under veteran coach Bob Stoops.

	Bill Stewart talks to reporters Sunday afternoon at the University of Phoenix Stadium. All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks

“I watch film, our players have watched film and that’s why we think they are the best,” said interim West Virginia coach Bill Stewart Tuesday morning.

“They’re special,” Stewart said. “They’ve got it all. They don’t turn the ball over. They run the ball. They throw the ball. Defensively, they’re a big, fast, strong, and they run to the ball. They are ranked in every category.”

Oklahoma freshman quarterback Sam Bradford is the top-ranked quarterback in a passing efficiency in a quarterback heavy Big 12 Conference. Bradford’s 180.5 passer rating includes 2,879 passing yards, a 70.1 completion percentage and 34 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions.

“This Bradford lad, he is special,” Stewart said. “When you throw 34 touchdowns with seven picks … that’s really good – I mean that is remarkable.”

Stewart also believes Oklahoma has the best set of tight ends in the country and a running game that prohibits defenses from concentrating solely on the passing game.

The Sooners are fifth in the Big 12 in rushing offense averaging 191.8 yards per game. Oklahoma is seventh in total offense in a league that has seven teams averaging more than 450 yards per game.

Stewart is equally impressed with an Oklahoma defense that ranks second in the Big 12 in total defense permitting just 324 yards per game. His opinion hasn’t changed despite the Sooners being light three starters due to suspension and/or injury.

“I would like for about 10 more to go home and half their coaches and I would feel real good,” Stewart joked.

Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops has been equally impressed with a West Virginia program that has won at least 10 games three consecutive years. Stoops listed several keys to Wednesday night’s game.

“For us defensively it’s perimeter tackling, being physical inside to cancel the run game,” Stoops said. “They’re persistent and they love to run the football.

“We’ve got to be physical to handle gap responsibility and then we’ve got to tackle and tackle well,” Stoops said. “Other factors for us offensively we feel is to be balanced - to be able to take advantage of both run and pass, and protect the ball. That’s a big factor in these games as well.”

On Sunday Stoops also made positive remarks regarding Bill Stewart’s ability to rally his football team and keep things together despite having an interim tag.

“Coach Stewart, we had a function with Bill and his staff a few nights ago. They have really done a great job,” Stoops said. “Bill has done a great job keeping his team together.”

West Virginia blew a chance to reach the national championship game on Dec. 1 by losing 13-9 to Pitt at home. Stewart said the team has been eager to remove that bitter taste from their mouths.

“We set out to prove that maybe we’re a little bit better than how we showed in the last game because we never want to knock our big rival,” Stewart said. “The University of Pittsburgh outplayed us and out coached us. I am right at the top of the list. They did a great job so we learn – hopefully we learn.”

Oklahoma players also have added motivation having lost three straight BCS games including last year’s stunning upset loss to Boise State. The Sooner players are growing weary of answering questions about the losing streak and the Boise State loss in last year’s Fiesta Bowl.

“I don’t know what it is,” wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said. “I just think it is execution as a team. If we want to change that record we’re going to have to come out and execute. (Coach Stoops) is tired of looking at it on TV. We are too. That’s the reason why you come here to win championships.”

“It would be a big relief to get that off our back,” added Sooner defensive back Nic Harris. “Everybody has to go out and play hard-nosed football. How could you not see highlights from last year’s Fiesta Bowl? They played them all year. It doesn’t necessarily make me mad but it gives me a bad feeling. It’s a bad taste in your mouth.”

Oklahoma is a prohibitive favorite considering the circumstances the West Virginia football team has to overcome losing their coach, but Stewart views it as a great opportunity for his young men.

“I’m glad we’re here,” Stewart said. “Our players are glad we’re here. And this staff at West Virginia is looking for an opportunity to play such a mighty football powerhouse as Oklahoma.”

Stewart said the team today will keep to its normal pre-game routine.

“Tonight I take curfew – the rest of the staff takes curfew because that’s what we do on Friday night at Lakeview,” Stewart said. “Friday night at Lakeview we bed-check them … we have a ritual thing we do. Tonight we will do the exact same thing. We will do our Fellowship of Christian Athletes and we will do dinner and we meet a little bit, and from 7 to 9 they are in their rooms watching games or a movie.

“And then at 9 we have our team meeting and then we lock it down,” Stewart said. “That’s when we do bed check. I know where they were last night and I know where they will be tonight.”



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