A string of three straight home games, including the beginning of a much-anticipated series with Miami, open the 2007 University of Oklahoma football schedule that was announced today by OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione.
 
The 2007 slate is the seventh in a row to feature all Division I-A opponents for the Sooners.
 
"These games fit our philosophy of providing a challenging, yet balanced schedule that prepares our team for the rigors of Big 12 Conference play and a run at post season championships," said Castiglione.
 
"The process becomes a little more challenging each year, but we are always working to complete our scheduling in a timely fashion to give our campus and fans the appropriate time to plan events. We are pleased that we can announce the 2007 schedule more than a year before it begins."
 
The OU-Miami game represents a titanic match-up of two of the nation's most successful programs. Since 2000, Miami ranks No. 1 nationally with a  winning percentage of .864, with Oklahoma No. 2 at .860. By wins during that same span, OU ranks first with 68, while the Hurricanes are No. 3 with 64.
 
The Sooners begin the season Sept. 1 when North Texas visits. Miami comes in the following week before Utah State invades on Sept. 15.
 
OU then departs for three consecutive games away from Norman. The first of those is a Sept. 22 match-up at Tulsa. That game is followed by the Big 12 opener at Colorado on Sept. 29 before the annual Red River Rivalry against Texas on Oct. 6 in Dallas.
 
Oklahoma returns home Oct. 13 to host Missouri, takes a trip to Iowa State on Oct. 20 and then hosts Oklahoma State on Oct. 27 in the first of another three-game home stand. 
 
Texas A&M is in Norman on Nov. 3 before Baylor visits on Nov. 10. The regular season finale is a Nov. 17 road game against Texas Tech.
 
Times for the games will be determined at a later date.
 
Non-Conference Game Notes
North Texas: The Eagles make the short drive up I-35 for the seventh time. Oklahoma has won the previous six meetings, the most recent of which occurred in 2003. This will mark UNTs' third game against OU during Bob Stoops' tenure.
 
Miami: The Hurricanes hold a 3-2 advantage in this series. The two teams have not played since 1987 when Miami notched a 20-14 Orange Bowl victory. A pair of previous meetings in Norman resulted in a split. OU won in 1973, 24-20, then lost in 1985, 27-14.
 
Utah State: The Aggies and Sooners renew this series for a fourth time. It was previously played in 1972, 1974 and 1991. All three previous games were played in Norman and all were won by OU.
 
Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane come back to the schedule after a one-year hiatus. Oklahoma has won 14 of the previous 22 meetings, including five in Tulsa. The two teams last played there in 2002 with OU posting a 37-0 victory.
 
2007 Oklahoma Schedule
North Texas (Sept. 1)
Miami (Sept. 8)
Utah State (Sept. 15)
at Tulsa (Sept. 22)
at Colorado (Sept. 29)
Texas at Dallas (Oct. 6)
Missouri (Oct. 13)
at Iowa State (Oct. 20)
Oklahoma State (Oct. 27)
Texas A&M (Nov. 3)
Baylor (Nov. 10)
at Texas Tech (Nov. 17)

The College World Series is over. It's football season in the heartland. Time to check out The Mags.

The football magazines are out in full force and unlike the last couple of years, Husker fans are going to like what they read. Most of the magazines we looked at are predicting a Big 12 North Division Championship in Nebraska's future.

The old standby, Street and Smith, ranks the Huskers at number 17. They write, "Maybe the Huskers aren't ready for world domination just yet, but they are the team to beat in the Big 12 North."

Sporting News has a staff that's traditionally tough on the Huskers. This year, SN says "Nebraska might need to steal a tough road game or two to win the North but this team now has the players and coaches to do it."

You'll find the same sentiments in Lindy's magazine. "The Huskers have to be a favorite in a diminished Big 12 North. Nebraska is finally turning the corner and this has the look of a nine-win team. Nebraska is the class of the division."

Phil Steele's football forecast is also optimistic: "To me, they are clearly the most talented team in the Big 12 North. I give the Huskers a great shot at topping last year's eight wins and getting to the Big 12 title game.

Athlon echoes the other magazines. "Optimism is the order of the day as a result of last season's strong finish. The Texas game is a possible preview of the Big 12 championship game in Kansas City."

The Huskers are ranked anywhere from 17th to 25th in the magazines. Iowa is ranked 11th to 25th.

What about the national championship? The magazines are divided in their opinions. Notre Dame is at the top or near the top of every poll and Irish quarterback Brady Quinn is everyone's pick to win the Heisman. Another team to watch is the Oklahoma Sooners. A couple of magazines have OU ranked number one.

Oklahoma State’s push to give young players a chance at real-game experience is paying off with the emergence of several promising football players. Perhaps none have distinguished themselves more than Owasso freshman Derek Wall.

Through the season’s first eight games, Wall has quickly shown to be one of the team’s top pass catchers with his sure hands and his uncanny ability to get open. He has caught 14 passes for 163 yards and made long touchdown grabs against Central Oklahoma and Panhandle State.

On both of his TD catches, Wall ran wide open uncovered into the opponents’ secondary. While the plays may have appeared as a busted coverage, Wall and the Bulldogs have specifically designed hide-and-seek plays that have given defenses fits all year.

“I don’t know if it they forgot abut me or not, but we run that play a lot.” Wall said. “We run so many players on routes we can disguise someone who can like suddenly appear later. Thankfully, the quarterback found me each time and I was lucky enough to get in the endzone.”

Wall’s decision to come to SWOSU was an easy one as he followed his older brother, Dustin, who already was a star defensive back for the Bulldogs having twice earned all-conference honors.

Derek spent his first year as a redshirt learning the plays and working out. He added 10 pounds to his 180-pound frame and began lifting and extra 20-30 pounds in the weight room.

“I knew I wasn’t ready to play college ball when I got here,” Wall said. “The extra year gave me a chance to develop both physically and mentally so I can contribute now.”

Wall’s improved play has been an instrumental part of an offense that has began to find its footing after a slippery start. SWOSU has averaged nearly 250 yards passing in its last three games while scoring 20 or more points in two of the three outings.

Still Wall is not satisfied with those numbers focusing on the team’s victory total which stands at one after eight games.

“Everybody likes to score or make big plays, but I’d trade all my touchdowns for wins if I could.” Wall said. “Until then, I’ll just continue to work my tail off in practice and know that better things are coming our way.”