After last weekend’s 57-2 thrashing of Tennessee-Chattanooga, the focus of the Sooner football team quickly switched to next weekend’s matchup against Cincinnati.

The Bearcats will present a remarkably tougher challenge, especially to the Sooners’ offensive line. Cincinnati’s group of linebackers and defensive linemen is packed with experienced and talented players.

Seniors Adam Hoppel and Terrill Byrd are the run-stoppers in the heart of the defensive line. Hoppel, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, had the second most tackles among defensive lineman in 2007 with 38. Byrd is a All-American and was a member of the 2007 all-Big East first team defense. Byrd amassed 56 tackles — including a team high 15 behind the line of scrimmage — and seven sacks.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” offensive line coach James Patton said. “Their front seven is real strong, and they do a great job running to the football. Our job will be to play physical, and it will be a great challenge, and a lot of fun.”

The two outside lineman positions are anchored by seniors Connor Barwin and Lamonte Nelms. Barwin moved to defensive end at the beginning of this year after playing tight end the previous three. He started Cincinnati’s last game and recorded five tackles, which tied for the team lead.

Nelms started in the Bearcats’ first game against Eastern Kentucky and picked up two tackles. He recorded 33 tackles last year, including 10 tackles for loss.

“When talking to the NFL scouts they’re evaluating 10 of their men,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “You know that’s more than we’re at.”

The linebacking corps is also supplied by a duo of seniors. Ryan Manalac and Corey Smith’s impact will spread far across the field.

Manalac returns as the third leading tackler on the team last season, with 76. He also had two forced fumbles. Smith was the second leading tackler on the Bearcats last year with 80 tackles.

“Cincinnati is an excellent football team,” Stoops said. “The get notoriety from the offense, which is really good, but also they are great defensively.”

OU will have to contain the pressure applied by the senior linebackers to establish the run and protect long enough to be able to pass the ball effectively.

Sophomore Sam Bradford is also being careful to not look past the Bearcats.

“With Cincinnati coming in here, I don’t think we have to watch someone else lose to realize that this is a good football team and that they could beat us if we are not prepared. We know that we are going to have a great week of practice and come out and play well on Saturday if we want to win.”

Stoops echoed that sentiment.

“I love watching defenses and these guys are very sound fundamentally and play hard,” Stoops said. “I can go on and on, they are a very good team that we recognize it as a major challenge this season.”