Football season is here... almost

<p><em class="gnmEkDate">Originally Published: Sep 21, 2009 2:15 PM CDT</em></p>TICKET TALK OSU is selling season tickets at an unprecedented pace—now over 44,000 in sales. Unfortunately, the fact

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 1:17 pm

By: News 9

Originally Published: Sep 21, 2009 2:15 PM CDT

TICKET TALK OSU is selling season tickets at an unprecedented pace—now over 44,000 in sales. Unfortunately, the fact that Georgia is not bringing as many fans as anticipated and the season ticket policy in place in Stillwater means the 60,000 capacity stadium will not be full. By comparison, between 50 ,000 to 55,000 OU fans will be in Arlington for Saturday's opener against BYU. The Cougars are expected to have around 15,000 to 20,000 fans. Unfortunately, this game will also not be a sellout. It's the first college game in the new stadium, which will play to a capacity of 80,000 with the ability to expand to 100,000. CENTER OF ATTENTION Never have a heard a proven coach spurt such eye-catching complements. OU's 2009 Broyles Award winner (top assistant) Kevin Wilson knows offense. Particularly, the offensive line, having played center in college. Yesterday, the fiery offensive coordinator shocked some of us 25 media members huddled around him when he declared transplanted tight end Brody Eldridge his best offensive lineman. The tough-as-nails Eldridge has playing center all of five weeks. I don't doubt Wilson's proclamations. Bet on him in the long run and you're way ahead. But expecting Eldridge to step in and star Saturday against BYU seems a stretch. Meantime, sure-fire first round NFL selection Trent Williams will assuredly play up to his billing in protecting Sam Bradford's backside. My guess? Eldridge will star or flop. Like Wilson, you'd be way ahead if you'd bet on Eldridge over the long haul. Buried in relative obscurity, as a back-up tight end he was named the All-Big 12 fullback in 2007 and is now a two-time team captain. POKES-DOGS The key to the OSU-Georgia game is clear: The Dogs return all five offensive lineman and they must be pretty good—most are in the SEC. OSU DCr Bill Young says they simply may be the best in the country. OSU is improved in most areas but the depth and quality in their defensive front is not a team strength. The loss of MLB Orie Lemon coupled with Andre Sexton being a little "banged up" mid-week does not bode well for the Pokes. Look for OSU to play with sustained emotion and smarts under Young. Georgia QB Joe Cox may be a senior but his first start could be challenging with the T Boone fanatics. But at some point, OSU must do two things they did not do last season: rush the passer and cover in the secondary. The Cowboys ranked a rank 109th out of 119 teams in pass defense a year ago. But at the end of the day I think OSU's offense will prevail. I see them out-scoring Georgia. Audios... DB