Unbeaten Oklahoma, Texas to square off

DALLAS -- Regional bragging rights, front-running status in the Big 12 South and a head start to possible conference and national championships -- all in one game.

It's the second week of October and time for the Red River Shootout. With No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 5 Texas both undefeated and in the top five for the third time in four years, the game is even bigger.

"This week is a bit different," said Texas running back Cedric Benson, the nation's top rusher (187 yards per game). "You can feel the energy in the air. It's going to take all us to change things this go-around."

Lately, the excitement for the Longhorns (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) hasn't lasted the length of the game -- or much past halftime.

Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0) has won four straight games in the series, including 65-13 last year. The current streak began with the Sooners' 63-14 romp in 2000 en route to a national championship.

"The last four years are over. They're in the past," Longhorns senior safety Phillip Geiggar said. "We have to approach this game just like we have any other game."

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jason White became Oklahoma's career touchdown passing leader (55) with three last week in a win over Texas Tech. Freshman Adrian Peterson is the first Sooner with four straight 100-yard rushing games to start his career, and is fourth in the Big 12 with 137 yards per game.

Saturday will be the 99th game in the series between border-state rivals. Texas leads 55-38-5. The game has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas -- where the stands are split evenly between fans from both teams -- since 1929.

Yes, there are other Big 12 games Saturday. But the other five games just won't get the attention that OU-Texas will.

No. 22 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0) plays at Colorado (3-1, 0-1); Texas Tech (3-2, 1-1) hosts Nebraska (3-1, 1-0); Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0) goes to Iowa State (2-2, 0-1); instate rivals Kansas State (2-2, 0-1) and Kansas (2-3, 0-2) play; and Missouri (3-1, 1-0) is at Baylor (2-2, 0-1).

Oklahoma State is 4-0 for the first time since 1997, thanks in part to a plus-13 in turnover margin. Vernand Morency is second in the Big 12 and third nationally with 176 yards rushing per game, with six straight 100-yard games going back to last season.

The Cowboys have been especially productive inside the 20, scoring 21 of 23 times with 17 touchdowns. Colorado is the Big 12's toughest defense in that situation, allowing opponents to score on just six of 13 possessions inside the 20.

Nebraska is the only Big 12 team without a loss against Texas Tech, but that doesn't provide any extra incentive for the Red Raiders (0-7 against the Cornhuskers).

"That doesn't amount to anything," Red Raiders coach Mike Leach said. "We've got the next game. We've just got to go play it and try to win."

The Red Raiders, home for only the second time, are again the nation's top passing team (423 yards per game). Nebraska has become more of a passing team under coach Bill Callahan, but the Huskers remain strong on defense, ranking fifth nationally (255 yards a game).

Texas A&M has won three straight games, but goes on the road for the first time since that 41-21 season-opening loss at Utah. The Aggies have lost eight straight road games.

The Aggies have won all won six games in their series against Iowa State, which lost its Big 12 opener 36-7 at Oklahoma State.

"They're obviously one of the most improved teams in the Big 12 and in the country," Cyclones coach Dan McCarney said.

Kansas leads the series, but Kansas State has dominated the instate rivalry since the inception of the Big 12. The Wildcats have won the last eight games by an average margin of 49-8, including 42-6 last year.

Missouri is 1-0 in the Big 12 for the first time in six seasons after a 17-9 win over previously undefeated Colorado. Baylor has lost eight straight Big 12 games since upsetting the Buffaloes in its conference home opener last season.