The last time OU lost at home was in 2005 against the unranked TCU Horned Frogs. That upset came in the first game of the season, and doomed the Sooners to the Holiday Bowl — the last time they did not qualify for a BCS bowl game.

The memories of that game linger with a few of the players on OU’s current roster, but senior safety Lendy Holmes was quick to point out that this year’s team is significantly different.

“I can say that we’re more mature,” Holmes said. “We have two seniors back there in the secondary in Nic Harris and myself. We just constantly, every day, stay focused and keep prepared for each opponent each week.”

The coaching staff is well aware of the team’s past results against TCU as well.

“You definitely remember some things,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “You sometimes take the winning aspect for granted, you always wish to win, and when you lose - it just kind of sticks with you.”

Now the Horned Frogs are making their first return to Norman since 2005. TCU is currently 4-0 and is the first ranked opponent the Sooners have played. The Frogs’ potent offense — which has scored 141 points in four games — is what Venables’ defense will have to contain Saturday.

“They’re really good at what they do,” Venables said. “They’re a really fast and up-tempo team that force you to get lined up and checked on everything. If you don’t, you’ll be burned every time.”

Another aspect the Sooner defense will have to cope with is the loss of junior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger. Granger will be out four to six weeks, and the depth of the front four will be tested during his absence.

“We’ve really progressed as a group, as a corps,” junior linebacker Keenan Clayton said. “There’s a lot more of us bonding together.”

Clayton said he believes the defense as a whole has improved substantially, and he said they’re ready to face the challenge

Sophomore defensive captain Gerald McCoy will be an essential factor in holding up the defensive line.

“Gerald is a guy that has substance,” Venables said. “He’s more comfortable and feels like he’s earned his stripes and actually feels like he knows what he’s doing this year.”

Venables added that Clayton and McCoy have both shown improvement.

“You have to keep improving, and everyone is,” Venables said. “You have to go out there every week and be consistent, not let anything go over you and tackle. Most importantly you have to play better each week, play tougher, play smarter and play together, that’s the main thing,” Venables said. “And we’re ready to get out there and play.”

TCU spying rumors surface

There have been some rumors that head coach Bob Stoops and the rest of the OU coaching staff blamed TCU for spying on the Sooners before the season opener in 2005 when the Horned Frogs beat the Sooners.

Stoops was agitated those rumors surfaced and says he has no idea where it came from.

“In the end, I can’t help what people speculate or their opinions,” Stoops said. “I don’t have anything to do with that. I’ve made it very clear that when they beat us here, they out-toughed us, out-physicalled us, coached a lot better because they had their players a whole lot more prepared than we did. They executed better, took care of the ball better in every part of the game.”

Stoops optimistic about Granger’s return

Stoops said Tuesday that he fully plans on having defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger in the lineup again this year.

“I expected him back this year,” Stoops said. “You know, everyone wants to know a timetable, [but] I don’t have one.”

Last week, Granger decided to skip having surgery on torn ligaments in his foot. If he had chosen the surgery, he would have been out for the year.

Recovery time will take at least four to six weeks now without the surgery, but after that will depend on how quickly Granger heals.

R.J. Washington’s status remains uncertain

Before the Washington game, there was some speculation the Sooners would take the redshirt off defensive end R.J. Washington.

But it didn’t happen in Seattle because Washington is still learning all the different personnel shifts.

Stoops said that if the Sooners would just play a 4-3 and let the players get wide and blitz, Washington would be in there right now. But the zone blitz the Sooners run is more complex than that.

Another reason is the coaches know Frank Alexander — who was stabbed in late August — will be back soon and they want to make sure Washington gets enough playing time if they burn his redshirt.