OU ranked No. 6 by SI

A stinging defeat in the Fiesta Bowl is motivating a Sooners defense that is eager to make amends

The banner hangs front and center in the Oklahoma locker room, bearing comments made by West Virginia quarterback Pat White moments after the Mountaineers had demolished the Sooners, 48-28, in the Fiesta Bowl last January. In so many words, White said that West Virginia was hungrier that night. "I look at that thing every time I'm in there," senior strong safety Nic Harris says.

Oklahoma's defenders needed to take a hard look at themselves after they gave up 525 yards, including 349 on the ground. The memory has provided motivation for a group that must break in a pair of linebackers and two starting cornerbacks in a conference loaded with high-octane offenses.

The Sooners, who added a no-huddle set in the spring, have a big-play offense of their own, led by quarterback Sam Bradford, who last year threw for an NCAA freshman-record 36 touchdowns and led the nation in passing efficiency. All five starters on the line are back, as are running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, who combined to rush for 1,375 yards and 22 touchdowns. But if Oklahoma expects to win a sixth Big 12 title in nine years and contend for the national championship, it can't expect to win a shootout every week. That's where Harris and junior middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds come in....

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