Sooners impressive, but still need help

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ After two subpar weeks, Oklahoma is where it wanted to be when the season began _ headed for the Big 12 title game. <br><br>The Sooners may have lost their chance at a national title

Sunday, November 24th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ After two subpar weeks, Oklahoma is where it wanted to be when the season began _ headed for the Big 12 title game.

The Sooners may have lost their chance at a national title when they were upset by Texas A&M on Nov. 9, and they didn't look all that good one week later in beating Baylor.

But in a 60-15 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday night, Oklahoma looked like its old self _ dominant on defense, productive on offense, disruptive on special teams.

``We always expect to play well in big games,'' cornerback Andre Woolfolk said. ``That's just what we do around here.''

The victory gave the third-ranked Sooners (10-1, 6-1) the Big 12 South Division title and a berth in the conference championship game Dec. 7 against Colorado. The victory also came hours after Ohio State had clinched a shot in the BCS championship game by beating Michigan.

Ohio State, Miami and Washington State began the day ahead of Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series ratings. The Sooners figure to be No. 3 this week because Washington State lost to Washington.

Stoops said he talked to his team before the game about the BCS picture.

``I felt they would be concentrating on what's in front of them and all they can accomplish, but I wanted to make sure,'' Stoops said. ``I said we're not sitting here worrying about anyone else.''

Someone then told Stoops that Washington State had lost.

``That doesn't hurt,'' he said.

Oklahoma had it all going against Texas Tech (8-5, 5-3). The Sooners scored on their first two possessions, including a 62-yard touchdown run by Quentin Griffin. Griffin finished with 207 yards and three touchdowns _ his seventh straight 100-yard game and third 200-yard game of the year.

``He's a special player and a tremendous running back,'' Stoops said. ``Finally, people recognize that.''

The Red Raiders feel they have a special player in quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, whose play had been superb all season and particularly in three straight victories leading up to Oklahoma. But he had no chance against Oklahoma's defense.

Kingsbury was 15-of-35 for 187 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked six times, including once in the end zone for a safety, and Tech gave up another safety on a holding call in the end zone.

Kingsbury's total was his lowest of the year and 184 yards below his average. He got 67 of his yards on one play _ a fourth-quarter touchdown pass.

``Don't ever challenge our defense,'' said tight end Trent Smith. ``If they ever feel challenged, they're going to dominate.''

The Sooners led 25-0 at halftime and pushed it to 32-0 on a blocked punt for a touchdown on Tech's first drive of the third quarter. Then came two more Griffin touchdown runs for a 46-0 lead before the Red Raiders finally scored on a kickoff return.

``They might be the best team in the country and certainly played like it today,'' coach Mike Leach said. ``We didn't respond to the situation very well.''

Oklahoma closes out the regular season Saturday at Oklahoma State. Last year, the Cowboys upset Oklahoma to knock the Sooners out of the Big 12 title game and the national championship picture.

Stoops and his players said the focus this week will be strictly on Oklahoma State and not on Colorado.

``This was a fun one, but we're ready to go after it next week,'' linebacker Teddy Lehman said. ``We've been waiting a long time for it.''