Bradford's injury highlights weekend for the Big XII

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The questions about the Sooners' offensive line proved to have true merit and just like that, Oklahoma's BCS hopes could be gone.

After getting taken out - literally - by BYU late in the first half, Sam Bradford will miss at least two more weeks and maybe up to a month with his shoulder injury, leaving a lot of doubt about just where the Sooners will end up come season's end. They were lucky enough to find their Heisman winning signal-caller won't need surgery, but by the time he returns to game action, it could all be moot.

Tulsa and Idaho State are not exactly marquis opponents, which works in OU's favor, but if the Sooners have to go into Miami without Bradford, they could be in a world of trouble. Quite possibly, Oklahoma could have two losses before even entering conference play, which includes very losable games against Texas and Oklahoma State, not to mention pretty decent Nebraska and Kansas squads.

The weak schedule in the upcoming weeks has Sooner fans thinking better now than in October, but let's not forget, that this is an injury to his throwing shoulder. First of all, who knows if it will actually be healed in four weeks. Second of all, even if it is strong enough to play with, you can pretty much bet on the fact that it won't be 100 percent until he is able to give it a full offseason to recover. Bradford is a competitor and will want to get out there and play, especially if it looks like his team is in danger of missing a chance at the national championship. But can a 75-80 percent Sam Bradford be able to navigate a Big XII schedule like the Sooners have?

One thing working for OU is the fact they have something a lot of teams in the Big XII don't - a defense. Now more than they ever thought they would need to this season, the Sooners will have to lean on its defense to win games. That may work early on, but they'll need Bradford back if they want to have a chance once the Big XII schedule comes along.