KTUL.com - Tulsa's Channel 8 - News, Weather & SportsStoops Doesn't Expect Lewis To Play In Bedlam Game

When the tenth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners take on No. 3 Oklahoma State Saturday in a game that will decide the Big 12 champion, they'll more than likely be going at it without standout defensive end Ronnell Lewis.

Lewis, a junior from Dewar, suffered a sprained knee in the Sooners' 45-38 loss at Baylor on November 19th and his recovery was expected to take at least two to three weeks.

Stoops said Tuesday that while Ronnell says he wants to give it a go, he doesn't see it happening.

"He wants to, but that's not gonna happen," said Stoops. "You know, as much as he wants to, I don't think he'd ever be cleared. And, it hurts more than he wants you to know. Those things take a while, so I don't see that happening."

Without Lewis in the lineup Saturday, the Sooners turned in a dominating defensive effort, limiting Iowa State to 245 total yards, forcing four turnovers and allowing just a 10-yard scoring drive that resulted in the Cyclones' only six points.

But, Iowa State's offense is not as potent as what the Sooners will see Saturday. Oklahoma State comes into the game ranked second in scoring offense and third in total offense.

That being said, Stoops is quick to point out that Oklahoma State will have to stop his offense as well. The Sooners are fourth in total offense and are averaging 43 points per game -- eight best in the country.

"I think it's fair to say that in the last four games on the road, we've had over 600 yards, too. So, my point is I don't know that there aren't many people being stopped totally overall, so I think it's fair to say that it's containing them and you contain them to a few more points than you get and that's what you're after."

Oklahoma State has lost eight straight games in the series. None have been bigger than this one. A win would give the Cowboys their first ever Big 12 championship and first BCS Bowl berth.

Saturday night's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff and can be seen live on Tulsa's Channel 8.