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The ‘Belldozer’ Blake Bell smashed a TCU cornerback in the face, trucking him in the process, and the resulting first down late in the fourth quarter was the key to the Oklahoma Sooners close win over the feisty Horned Frogs. Though the game was close, Oklahoma proved they can win, with a physical brand of play on both offense and defense.

What a defensive effort it was. Oklahoma’s defense was relentless Saturday, in a dominating effort. How dominant, you ask? TCU didn’t cross midfield at all in the first half, and failed a register a first down until the third quarter. That Sooner defense swarmed to the ball and had no problems wrapping up TCU and finishing tackles in the open field. TCU came into the game averaging nearly 150 rushing yds per game, but could only manage 44 against Oklahoma’s stingy defense. That defense is gaining confidence and toughness heading into Big-12 play.

Blake Bell is an absolute beast; though TCU held Bell to 66 rushing yards Saturday, he wore the defense down with his bruising runs. The double rushing threat of Brennan Clay and Damien Williams could be the knockout punch in the mouth Oklahoma needs. Those two backs love to truck defensive backs, and finished their runs with authority on Saturday. It’s a potential nightmare for opposing defenses, and they now have to deal with a stingy defense and a offense with a quarterback and rushing attack that specializes in smashmouth football.

Smashmouth football is nothing new to Oklahoma. This is a program that practically wrote the book on it, as those great Barry Switzer teams from the 70′s and 80′s showcased. What better time to show off this smashmouth football than the annual Red River Shootout looming with Texas? This game is always emotional and Texas got whooped last year. But now, with Bell under center, they just might get trampled in the process.

Karim Akbar is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kuhreem , “Like” his RantSports page on Facebook or add him to your network on Google