Bradford's early exit in '07 means Tech still has to size up Sam

Sam Bradford still talks like he's a bit fuzzy in the head.

"It was really hard to watch," Oklahoma's quarterback said.

That would seem normal for a guy who just suffered a concussion. The difference is, it's a year later and Bradford just recently watched the tape from Nov. 17, 2007. On the Sooners' first offensive play against Texas Tech that night, Bradford suffered a concussion trying to make a tackle on linebacker Marlon Williams, who had picked up a fumble.

Shortly thereafter, the quarterback was yanked and spent the rest of the game on the bench looking like a child of the '60s. Bradford had that bemused, faraway look that suggested he had reached a higher consciousness. The truth was he had his bell rung.

"I really just wasn't all there mentally," Bradford said. "I didn't know what was going on."

Oklahoma was never the same in the 34-27 loss that knocked the Sooners out of the 2007 national championship race. The Texas Tech defense -- imagine that! -- jumped on backup Joe Halzle.

"I watched it the other day on tape just with the quarterbacks and (quarterbacks) coach (Josh) Heupel," Bradford said. "Having to watch the whole game knowing that I wasn't able to be out there competing with my teammates ... definitely, kind of leaves a sour taste in my mouth."

An upright, walking, talking Bradford will be something of a curiosity, then, on Saturday. Here we go again in the Big 12 with No. 2 Texas Tech facing No. 5 Oklahoma in the conference's latest top 10 game of the minute. (Really, how many more of these things can there be?)

Tech beating Halzle, still Bradford's caddy, is one thing. Getting past a year-older, year-wiser Bradford with all his marbles is another. And the weird thing is, virtually all the Red Raiders have is film. The quarterback has faced every team in the Big 12 at least once. Against Tech, he lasted a handful of plays.

"He's the best professional (quarterback) prospect we'll face," Red Raiders safety Daniel Charbonnet said.

That's saying something in the Big 12. Among the other things at stake Saturday, Bradford and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell just might be playing for the Heisman Trophy.

Charbonnet is right. Bradford, a redshirt sophomore, is regarded as the league's best pro prospect. But Harrell has been the more popular one in Heisman watches to this point. Last year's victory propelled the Red Raiders into the Gator Bowl. Oklahoma had to be content with the Fiesta Bowl, where it lost its fourth consecutive BCS bowl.

No one is expecting this year's game to come down to the quarterbacks' ability to play defense. But, yes, Bradford would sacrifice his body if confronted with the situation.

"Obviously, you're not going to give up six points," Bradford said. "If I'm forced to be in that situation to make a tackle, obviously I will.

"Maybe I'll go lower this year."

For the rest of the national notes read Dennis Dodd's blog, Dodds and Ends.