Sooners Prepare For Tougher Opponent In Miami

Wednesday, September 5th 2007, 10:44 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ A 69-point romp is proof Oklahoma didn't look past its season opener against North Texas. But there's little doubt the Sooners _ and coach Bob Stoops _ are relishing the challenge that awaits them.

The 5th-ranked Oklahoma will host Miami on Saturday, renewing a rivalry started in the 1970s and made famous by three games during the mid-1980s.

Miami, coming off a 7-6 season _ its worst since 1997 _ remains unranked despite a 31-3 win over Marshall in its season opener.

Oklahoma knows the Hurricanes, with 17 starters returning, are bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic than North Texas and figure to give the Sooners an early barometer about any potential for success.

As Oklahoma center Jon Cooper says, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity.