NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma owns the nation's longest winning
streak, 13 games. Very few doubt it will reach 14 on Saturday, when
the No. 3 Sooners play visiting North Carolina.
Tar Heels coach John Bunting knows that. He just doesn't buy it.
"It's a little bit like a David and Goliath to an extent, but I
think our players relish that challenge," said Bunting, making his
debut with North Carolina.
"Nobody expects us to win except for me, the staff and the guys
who sit in this room. That's fine. I like that challenge."
Bunting, a North Carolina alumnus, takes over a team that was
6-5 a year ago but has talent that Oklahoma's coaches say is
comparable to the better teams in the Big 12 Conference.
Quarterback Ronald Curry presents problems with his ability to
run and scramble and he has outstanding receivers in Bosley Allen
and Kory Bailey. Julius Peppers, who led the nation with 15 sacks a
year ago, anchors a defensive line that Bunting said measures up
with the best in the country.
"I'm not going out there to look for some type of silver
lining," Bunting said. "We are going out there to compete. We are
trying to teach this team how to win. The sooner we learn that, the
better off we'll be."
Oklahoma learned about winning during its stunning championship
run last year. After not winning more than seven games in any of
the previous six seasons, the Sooners went 13-0 to claim their
seventh national title.
Oklahoma's defense was outstanding in 2000 and is expected to be
strong again, led by linebacker Rocky Calmus and safety Roy
Williams. The team might have to rely on its defense while
quarterback Nate Hybl settles in as the successor to Heisman Trophy
runner-up Josh Heupel.
"I think the best thing about us is that we're a very confident
football team right now, coming off the national championship
game," associate head coach Mike Stoops said. "We hope that ...
we're just going to keep getting better."
Hybl, a junior, was the backup last year but played in only five
games. His last start came during his senior year in high school,
nearly four years ago.
Even so, head coach Bob Stoops, Mike's brother, said Hybl is
more prepared to run the offense than Heupel was when he took over
two years ago.
"Everyone wants to say we lost Josh Heupel, but nobody was
bragging on Josh Heupel two years ago, and Josh only had 15 days of
practice to get ready for his first season here," Bob Stoops said.
Oklahoma has spent a good deal of time trying to figure out how
the Tar Heels will line up on both sides of the ball.
Bunting spent eight years as an NFL assistant coach before
returning to his alma mater. His offensive coordinator, Gary
Tranquill, is in his 40th year of coaching and most recently was
Virginia's offensive coordinator. The Tar Heels' defensive
coordinator, John Tenuta, spent the past five years at Ohio State.
"That makes it a little more difficult for us than for them,"
Mike Stoops said. "That could give them a little bit of an
advantage."
The Sooners get to play the game at home, where they have won 13
straight. Yes, there are questions to be answered at quarterback,
but Hybl has several experienced receivers and a solid running game
around him.
And there are no signs of complacency. Bob Stoops said the staff
and players put last season behind them within a few weeks of the
Orange Bowl victory over Florida State. He scoffs at the suggestion
there is extra pressure this year.
Mike Stoops gives his brother credit for fostering the right
attitude.
"Once the season kicks off, we're going after the national
championship like everybody else. I think (Bob's) done a great job
of getting that philosophy to our players," Mike said.
"We dislike a lot of teams as much as they dislike us, too.
Just because we beat 'em last year doesn't mean we're going to not
play harder this year to try to beat 'em again."
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