After last week's 51-13 victory over Miami, however, Oklahoma and its fans are thinking about a berth in the national championship game. That means no slip-ups, no letdowns and no chance of overlooking the underdog Aggies.

"We need to make improvement every week," said Sooner coach Bob Stoops, "and I believe we will do that."

Improvement?

Oklahoma is 2-0 after a 79-10 win over North Texas and its surprisingly easy victory over Miami.

"There is a lot to build on," Stoops said.

Utah State is 0-2 after losses to UNLV (23-16) and Wyoming (32-18). The Aggies clearly are improved over last season, when they finished 1-11, but winning at Oklahoma might depend on a no-show by the 46-point favorites.

No chance, according to the Sooners.

"We have to attack things one game at a time," said kicker Garrett Hartley. "We have to go out there and make ourselves better and not worry about the other team. That is what we are going to do."

Said safety Lendy Holmes: "We respect all our opponents. . . . We just can't let down. We have to look at every week like a big challenge."

Smooth transition

Oklahoma has recovered from the Rhett Bomar Affair, which exploded a year ago and ended with the Sooners being punished by the NCAA and the record-setting freshman quarterback transferring to Sam Houston State.

In August 2006, Bomar and another player were kicked off the team for what the school admitted was "excessive compensation from a private company" for a summer job.

Specifically, Bomar received more than $18,000 for working as little as five hours a week at a Norman car dealership.

Oklahoma was ordered to forfeit all its wins in 2005, when the Sooners went 8-4 and beat Oregon in the Holiday Bowl. They also lost two scholarships and a previous probation was extended for two years, although the school is appealing the penalties.

Enter Sam Bradford, the Sooners' new quarterback.

A redshirt freshman, Bradford has completed 40 of 48 passes for 568 yards and eight touchdowns. In one stretch, he completed 22 passes in a row.

"They have done a good job of running stuff he does well," said Utah State coach Brent Guy, "and he's made good decisions."

Briefly

Utah State defensive lineman Ben Childs underwent surgery Tuesday for the broken leg he suffered at Wyoming. A senior from Spring, Texas, his career is over. . . . Oklahoma has won seven national championships (1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985 and 2000). . . . Utah State junior linebacker Jake Hutton played against Alabama in 2005 and Arkansas in 2006. He calls Oklahoma "the best team we've seen since I've been here. They are blowing people out. They blew out Miami. So they are the real deal."

luhm@sltrib.com

Utah State at #3 Oklahoma

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