Norman, Okla. ? It’s a safe bet Oklahoma will have more success running the ball Saturday against Oklahoma State than it did a year ago.

The third-ranked Sooners (10-1, 6-1 Big 1) netted zero yards in last year’s 16-13 loss. But they have a legitimate ground game now, and the numbers prove it: Quentin Griffin has 1,450 yards rushing, with seven straight 100-yard games.

“A year ago, they were more of a passing team,” said Oklahoma State safety Chris Massey. “We’ve got our hands full. They’re a more balanced team this year.

“We have to be real technique sound (against Griffin), and when you’re in a position to make the play, make the play.”

Griffin has benefited from improved play by the offensive line and a renewed emphasis on the run game. The Sooners got away from that in a few games early in the year, and Griffin was a nonfactor. After he gained just 10 yards against South Florida, the offensive coaches decided they had to make him a featured part of the offense.

Since then, Griffin has run for at least 100 yards in every game, and has topped 200 yards twice. He is coming off a 207-yard game against Texas Tech, when he broke off a dazzling 62-yard touchdown run that may have been his best of the year.

“He will easily be our team MVP,” coach Bob Stoops said. “Just look at the yards he’s gained, look at the yards he’s gained on his own. He’s just amazing, his ability to make people miss him.

“Early in the season we finally wised up and made sure we got him the ball a number of times in each and every game.”

Oklahoma tried to run the ball last year, but offensive coordinator Chuck Long says the Sooners didn’t have as many schemes or as many variations within those schemes as they do now.

“We became very one-dimensional, obviously, in the passing game, but we became one-dimensional personnel-wise and formation-wise,” he said.

That isn’t the case this year. The Sooners use two tight ends more often, along with their “Jumbo” package that allows them to mix up formations.

“When you have different personnel groups, you can get into a lot of different things – wings and movement and jumbos and flankers, I-back, split backs,” Long said. “It’s caught on with our guys and they’re believing it now, and as they gain confidence in it, they’re executing better and better.”