2011 Oil Bowl Preview
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Senior Analyst, TheOldCoach.com
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The Maskat Shrine Oil Bowl Classic, year in and year out, is typically as entertaining as any high school all star game in the country.
Now in its 74th year, the game is usually intense, especially because there is no love lost when Texas and Oklahoma get together.
Throw in the always entertaining Oil Bowl band, and it's a good summer Saturday night football experience.
This year's game will once again be played at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.
Texas leads the overall series 45-18-1, including last year's 13-12 win.
The Texas team will be led by a local star as Iowa Park's Lee Clubb, who has signed with Colorado State, will be a key factor on both sides of the ball for the Texans.
The Texans will also have several other strong skill players including future Purdue Boilermaker Doug Gentry from Mexia, who has been one of the top backs in the Central Texas area for the past three seasons.
Last year, a pair of DeSoto defensive backs made a big impact in the game, and this year one player to watch will be receiver Samuel Ajala, who is a big play threat.
The offensive line is anchored by SMU signee Kris Weeks.
Another SMU signee will man the Texas defense in former Mesquite Horn star Stephon Sanders, who is a terror rushing the passer off the edge. North Mesquite LB Roderick Harris is a bit undersized, but he's a tackling machine for the Texans.
Oklahoma, on paper, looks to have more big name talent. Coming into this year's
game, it should be a slight favorite.
Boise State signee Brandon Swindall from Oklahoma City Millwood is the number one weapon for the Oklahomans and probably the top attraction in the game. He's a threat anytime the ball is in his hands.
Louisiana-Monroe signee Brayle Brown out of Shawnee will lead the offense along with athletic Tulsa signee Derek Patterson.
There's no shortage of big names for the Oklahoma squad on defense either with Kansas State signee Hunter Davis out of Choctaw and Broken Arrow's Nick Hall who signed with Tulsa.
THEOLDCOACH.COM PREDICTION: Oklahoma by 10
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