Sooners face upstart Buffs

Saturday, December 4th 2004, 11:41 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma (11-0) is one victory away from an opportunity to play for a national championship. Colorado (7-4) seeks to complete an improbable run to the league title by winning the fourth consecutive game in which a loss would have squelched the Buffaloes' title hopes.

The second-ranked Sooners arrive on a defensive uptick. Oklahoma has not allowed a touchdown in its past eight quarters in closing the regular season with victories over Nebraska (30-3) and Baylor (35-0). Colorado heads into tonight's 7 p.m. contest in Kansas City, Mo., after one of its best offensive showings of the season. In last week's 26-20 victory over Nebraska, RB Bobby Purify rushed for 130 yards while QB Joel Klatt threw for 222 yards and a touchdown.

With the Sooners hoping to land a berth against No. 1 Southern California in the Orange Bowl to settle the Bowl Championship Series version of the national championship, Colorado coach Gary Barnett understands the challenge at hand.

"We're glad to get our shot at Oklahoma," Barnett said. "No one else has been able to do it, and 11 other teams have tried. I told our coaches and players that this is bigger than a bowl game. The atmosphere is more electric. It's the best atmosphere they'll play in unless they are in the NFL playoffs."