Sooners Eyeing Test at Florida State

NORMAN, Okla. -- Coach Stoops and Oklahoma players met with the media Tuesday to preview this week's showdown at Florida State. The Sooners and Seminoles kick off at 7 p.m. (CT) Saturday in front of a national television audience on ABC. For complete coverage, details on attending the game and broadcast options for following from around the world, visit Sooner Gameday Central.

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening comments:
"No game obviously to cover from last week, but I would say that we took advantage of the off week and got a lot of extra work on Florida State. I feel that will be very helpful coming into this week. The players got a chance to rest their legs over the weekend. We were excited to be back yesterday for Monday's practice and we are excited and looking forward to challenge of playing down at Florida State. A team ranked in the top five that's playing really well here early in the season.

"Their [Florida State] quarterback EJ Manuel is playing great and defensively they've looked great. It obviously goes back to last year through the second half of the season when they were more familiar with their schemes and what the coaches wanted them to do. Obviously they are more confident and stronger, which allowed them to finish their year the way they did beating Florida at the end of the year and winning against South Carolina in a bowl game. They've carried it into this season.

"It's a little hard to tell how they are going to play with the opponents that they've started with as those probably aren't the type of teams they will see for the rest of the year, but they are still playing well. We are looking forward to it in that it will be a great and exciting challenge. I feel strongly that we will invest in the week and we will go down there ready to play a great game."

On Florida State:
"I see a lot fast guys and big guys in their front, especially on defense, their front four has always looked really good. I have always thought they've had excellent athletes. You see a lot of good strong pocket passing from EJ Manuel, which was similar to Christian Ponder as well, but what you see is a bigger guy with more dimensions that can see the field and make something happen and the added dimension of the quarterback running game.

On the atmosphere at Florida State:
"I say this in a humble way, but when we show up it's usually that way. Wherever we go, it's usually not at all subdued and no one is excited to see us. It will be exciting and wild, but we've seen that and hopefully we will respond to it in the right way and handle it and perform well."

On Ryan Broyles:
"You can do certain things to try to cover him, but I feel confident that this year, more so than a year ago, that we have other players that are experienced and capable of making plays. If that's ever the case I would like to take advantage of the other guys. For instance, Kenny Stills and Trey Franks aren't freshmen anymore and Dejuan Miller has had a great camp. I am excited to see him more in the games this year and even James Hanna. I think it will be harder this year to double him and find ways to try to take him away. Ryan Broyles is excellent at creating separation, his footwork and route running. He just has a knack for finding space and creating space."

On beating his brother Mark Stoops last year and facing him again:
"I felt the entire week that it would be a miserable experience, but after the game I was sure of it. I've never been so conflicted and miserable about winning a game. It's not what you want to do. You are playing your brother for a championship, one of them is going to win and the other didn't but played well. If it isn't that case than you spend your life fighting for your brother. Your brothers are always on your team, you are helping each other out and sticking up for each other. Beating each other is not what you want. It's just not natural."

On Landry Jones:
"Landry brings all those intangibles from the lineage of quarterbacks that we've had here. Outside of talent and accuracy, he's tough, a hardworking guy and humble. Our players like playing for him and he's a great teammate. He's a student of the game. You put that with a big strong guy that can throw and it makes for a bunch of yards. He is a pretty calm guy, much similar demeanor to what Sam Bradford was in that he will take what comes to him."

On Florida State being the top matchup of the season:
"That can be debated. There have been good games already. For us it's the second game and for them it's their third. It's obviously a big game for us too. We both want to remain in contention to be a champion. This is what you have to do. Hopefully someone gives you credit for winning these type of games. If all things are equal than at the end of the season and you've played a tougher schedule, you will get the nod. Otherwise why play those games. If there are ties it seems logical for the BCS to consider the tougher schedules. Our fans love these games, and it's part of giving them some excitement too."

Senior DE Frank Alexander

On FSU looking for revenge after last season:
"I'm not a real big talker or whatever, but I just go out there and let my game speak for it. We have heard a lot of the sayings and things they're talking about, but we can't get caught up (in it). They put 11 out there, we put 11 out there and let the better team win."

On success of the front four last game:
"I just feel like us four up front, that's where it all starts. So, if we can get pressure on the quarterback, and take some of the pressure of the secondary, I feel like that'll be big. I feel like having all the guys that stepped up well in the Tulsa game, they'll want to do even better because you can never be satisfied on just being in one spot. You're always looking for another edge to get better. So, that's the approach we're taking and we just want to play better than we did two weeks ago."

On approach to handling Seminoles' speed:
"We just have to get after the quarterback, get him unstable in the pocket and have him move out a lot. From what I've seen on tape, he wants to be a pocket passer. So, we just have to collapse the pocket and get after him."

On mentally preparing for a hostile Florida State environment:
"Mentally, just staying humble and staying focused. That's all you can do. Just being prepared and knowing what's coming. The coaches have stressed to us last week and this week that preparation is the key. So, I feel like if you prepare for the game and you put in the time and work, you'll be ready for anything that comes to you."

Sophomore DB Aaron Colvin

On the game and using it as a measuring stick for this team:
"We have been hearing about this game all year and all summer. It is going to be one of the biggest games of the year, so we need to be ready to play."

On Ryan Broyles and his abilities that make him so good:
"I honestly think it's a bit of everything: he is older, he is mature. The guy just has a feel for the game and he always just knows where there are creases in the defense and he always finds them.

"I love going against him because he makes everyone better, he makes me better personally, and the guy is just a great player."

On playing against EJ Manuel:
"He is a really big, strong, physical kid. With his athleticism, you would think he would like to run a little bit more, but he can pass just as good as he can run, so he can really do a little bit of everything. With him, you just have to be patient and play defense. If we are slipping on one play, he can hurt you."

On improving things after the Tulsa win:
"Oh definitely, there will never be one game where you are perfect. So after the Tulsa game, we just wanted to polish up things, we wanted to keep focusing on the things that we messed up with. At the same time, we wanted to move forward. We got the win, so now we are looking forward to the other teams."

On the game:
"We know that this time they have the home field advantage and their guys are going to feel comfortable in their own environment, so we know we have a challenge."

Junior OL Lane Johnson

On reaction to playing time against Tulsa:
"To be honest I was surprised. Going in there, I knew I was going to be a backup and subbing in whenever they needed me. Whenever Daryl went down, I got in and played the rest of the game. I think it was good just to get some experience, get some playing time and getting the reps. I think it really benefits me."

On talent difference between Tulsa and Florida State:
"Well, Tulsa is a great team and they'll be a 10-win season team like they have in the past few years. Florida State has so much talent down there. They have like the number one recruiting class almost every year. They have a bunch of speed and we're getting prepared for them. I know they have a bunch of talent, but we're just trying to do our best with preparation."

On the mindset during preparation for this week's game:
"Just like every other week, you have to just take one day at a time. Preparation is key, getting used to their defensive schemes and just going out there every day with a mindset knowing that you're about to play one of the best teams in the nation. I think that helps us every day."

On challenge of being a young offensive tackle and facing their defensive end:
"Well, I guess I have to get ready for them. They've got an All-American in Brandon Jenkins and just the talent level, I know I have to be ready for them; I know I'm going to be on my toes. Just studying film will be the key to preparing for them. Knowing what their moves are and how quick they are off the ball, I think that's really going to help me."

Sophomore FB Trey Millard

On if Florida State game has been brought up over the summer and in practices a lot:
"It has been brought up a little bit more than some of the other games. Obviously, it is a big stage; it is a road game and against a top five team in the nation. It is going to be a great game."

On the game and all the hype surrounding it:
"It is going to be a fight, but we are ready for it. For me, it's always just been a football game. They are a great team and you get excited for it, but I think that at the same time you just have to focus and know that it is just a (another) game."

On the coaches' confidence in him:
"It is great. It is always nice to have the coaching staff behind you like that and it gives me a lot of confidence in myself to know that I can go out there and run ball if I need to."

On the offense's performance so far:
"Yeah, I think we played really well as an offense against Tulsa, we just played really smart ... no sacks, no penalties and things like that. That is the biggest part of being a complete group and everyone functioning on the same page; that is when an offense really shines."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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