BYU game day

No. 20 BYU (0-0) vs. No. 3 Oklahoma (0-0)

Today, 5 p.m.

Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Artificial turf

TV: ESPN; Radio: 1160AM, 102.7 FM

THE STAKES

For Oklahoma ... The Sooners are loaded with talent and seeking their eighth national championship. They can't afford a loss to BYU in the season opener.

For BYU ... The Cougars, who are three-touchdown underdogs, aren't expected to upset Oklahoma, but they need to at least keep the game respectable. On the other hand, if BYU can find a way to knock off the Sooners, it would be one of the biggest victories in school history.

THE TRENDS

For Oklahoma ... The Sooners have scored 60-plus points in five of their last six games.

For BYU ... The Cougars have lost 12 consecutive games to ranked non-conference opponents, dating back to 1998.

THE EDGE

Oklahoma will win if ... it does what it did for much of last year, scoring points in bunches (OU averaged more than 50 points per game in 2008).

BYU will win if ... the offense can avoid turnovers and keep the ball away from OU's powerful offense; and the Cougar defense is able to get pressure on quarterback Sam Bradford and force some turnovers.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Max Hall, BYU: In his last two games, Hall threw six interceptions and only one touchdown pass. The senior quarterback is looking to rebound from those performances and lead the Cougars to a huge upset.

KEY MATCHUP

BYU's offensive line vs. Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy: The Cougar offensive line will be tested against McCoy, an All-American defensive tackle. For BYU to have any chance to win, the O-line must protect Hall and open holes for the Cougar running backs.

INJURY REPORT

Oklahoma: Tight end Jermaine Gresham will be sidelined for tonight's game due to a knee injury.