Sherrill and Jones dispute Stoops, Hawkins claims

So which is it?

Will Oklahoma really miss Adrian Peterson against Colorado or will quarterback Paul Thompson pile up numbers in the passing game, leaving Sooners' running backs to run through the dizzy Buff defenders?

Listen to OU coach Bob Stoops, even Colorado coach Dan Hawkins and you'll hear that the running attack minus the injured Peterson is still going to run hot.

Yet there are some dissenting opinions.

In an article today in the Daily Oklahoman, former college coaches Jackie Sherrill and Pat Jones were asked about that subject and the two have different opinions than the men forced to face the media before the game, Stoops and Hawkins.

Sherrill laughs at the thought of the Sooners just playing on like Peterson is just one of a stable of backs on the OU roster.

"You don't replace Adrian Peterson. There's no way. He's one of a kind," Sherrill said. "When you lose that someone with that kind of ability of leadership (not mention talent, coach), it takes away from the rest of the team."

Doesn't sound like Peterson was Joe Ordinary, now does it? Yet, that's what OU and CU are trying to sell it as, as they have to do, for the benefit of the team's mindset even if it is slightly dishonest.

Sherrill says losing Peterson will result in opponents crowding the line and forcing the Sooners' passing attack, primarily Thompson, to produce at a higher level, which is going to be challenging.

"He has done a great job but he has some technique flaws," Sherrill said.

Jones adds that Thompson will no longer have a major luxury in the passing game.

"He won't have the benefit of having the best tailback in the country for play-action and to take some of the pressure off him with the running game, but those receivers are playing good.

It says here that Oklahoma will try to hurt CU with the pass first and that Thompson has the capability to do such, and if he does, then the Sooners will gash the defense with the run and roll to an easy victory. However, if CU can avoid allowing big plays in the first half, they will have a chance to knock OU off balance offensively, giving them a chance to win.