The Sooners head into Big 12 Conference play this weekend against an improving Missouri team.

OU will travel to Columbia tomorrow night to take on the 3-1 Tigers to open up its conference schedule.

Although the defense has looked solid for the Sooners, there are still questions in the offense. Going into this game, OU is last in the Big 12 in time of possession, holding onto the ball for only 27.18 minutes a game. That shows lack of a serious running threat and a lot of 3-downs and out situations.

The defense has already faced four mobile quarterbacks and will face another one this weekend in Missouri's freshman starter Brad Smith. Smith is sixth in the nation with 317.2 total yards of offense per game.

The good news for the Sooners going into conference play is that they have the No. 5 scoring defense in the country, allowing 10.5 points per game, and are the No. 10 team in total offensive yards allowed (262).

"We've made steady progress," OU co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "Last week, with the ones, we felt good about a lot of things. We let the quarterback get out of our grasp a few times and that's got to improve. We're going to face someone equally as elusive this week, then in two weeks against Seneca Wallace. Our execution has been a lot more precise, and I'm pleased with where we're at, but we need to continue to make progress."

Sophomore defensive tackle Tommie Harris and the defensive line have led the Sooners to a ninth-ranked rushing defense. However, the line has struggled to get to the quarterback. The defense only has four sacks this season. Harris knows it won't get any easier going into the Big 12.

"We're ready, and prepared," Harris said. "The athletes we've faced so far have prepared us a lot for the Big 12. South Florida had an excellent quarterback, very talented. I believe he's prepared us for Chris Simms and the guy from Missouri, quarterbacks like that."

In the Big 12, though, you have to be able to put points on the board. Right now Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Texas are all in the top 10 in scoring offense, averaging more than 40 points per game.

Sooner starting quarterback Nate Hybl has been leading an OU passing offense that is averaging 241.2 yards per game, good for fourth in the Big 12. Hybl attributes the success of the passing game to the improving offensive line.

"The offensive line has been making some really developed pockets a lot firmer than last year," Hybl said. "I expect us to play great this weekend. I really have a good vibe. And it's extra special because we're going into Big 12 play."

The Sooners have also played defenses in the first few games that could tip them off to Big 12 opponents. But every defense will throw new things at a top 3 team like Oklahoma.

"Everybody presents new wrinkles," Hybl said. "They've all been a little different so far, but some of the passing fronts are the same.

"Everyone is a little different, but we adjust accordingly. We have tons of confidence going into the Big 12. We just need to carry over what we do in practice to Saturdays."
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