It has not been a secret that the No. 24 Sooners’ weakest link this season has been their offensive line.

With inexperienced linemen filling in for last season’s very talented linemen who left due to graduation, the line has had trouble giving its quarterbacks time to throw the ball and open lanes for the running backs to run through.

“The only problem I have is that those guys are more talented than they have played,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “The talent level does not match their performance.”

The line has already allowed eight sacks this season, which is five sacks fewer than the amount given up during the 2008 season.

Head coach Bob Stoops called the line out during spring practices, and did not give a vote of confidence entering the 2009 season following the graduation of four key offensive line members from last season.

“[Wilson was] a lot more [confident] than I was,” Stoops said. “There is no replacement for experience, and experience is a major factor at every level of this game.”

Even Wilson admits he was not completely sure with how the offensive line would perform this season after he said he put up a façade earlier in the year in order to inspire the linemen.

“I’ve never heard too many coaches come up and say their guys suck,” Wilson said.

Sooner fans should hope Wilson’s faith in the line is not another bluff this week, because this weekend’s matchup against Nebraska’s talented defensive line should really give him a reason to worry.

Stoops said the offensive line’s good play the past few weeks has given him more confidence in it than he had at the beginning of the season.

“It’s just how we’ve played the past couple weeks,” Stoops said. “There’s been more consistency. I feel like we’re making strides, but you’ve got to do it each week.”

The Cornhuskers rank first in total defense and second in sacks in the Big 12 during conference play, and their 25 sacks ranks No. 10 in the nation.

The defensive front four, which consists of senior Barry Turner, senior Ndamukong Suh, sophomore Jared Crick and junior Pierre Allen, has recorded 18.5 of the team’s total sacks.

“This group is proven,” Wilson said. “They play like a great team. We have a chance to make a statement, see if we’re gaining on it and getting closer to being a decent offensive line.”

What is encouraging for OU’s offensive line is that it has had the same five linemen start in back-to-back games, but that also means there may be a lack of chemistry between those front five.

“It just would have been nice if we could have had that grooved up and developed coming out of spring and summer,” Wilson said. “It would’ve been nice to be playing right now as we started the season.”

If the Sooners’ offensive line does not step up its game against Nebraska’s dangerous defensive line, then freshman quarterback Landry Jones may find himself either running for his life or on his back for a good portion of the game.

“The battle is going to be won up front,” junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “Whoever the most is up front on both sides of the ball will win the game.”