By JAKE TROTTER, The Oklahoman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Connecticut running back Jordan Todman knows all about ice baths.

Carrying the ball 302 times in one season requires a bunch of them.

"The cold tubs aren't the most comfortable thing," he said. "But they make a difference."

This week, the Red River Rivalry will introduce a new era in quarterbacking.

Oklahoma-Texas will go from the most veteran -- and most prolific -- QB rivalry in the history of the series to a pair of sophomores who will be making their first starts at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

As teams open their 2010 seasons this week, many will rely on true freshmen like never before.

At USC, Robert Woods will become the first true freshman ever to start an opener at wideout for the Trojans.

Oklahoma enters the 2010 season with national championship expectations.

Even though the Sooners will be favored in at least of 11 of 12 games, the odds of an undefeated regular season are small.

Based on the "chances of victory" I gave for each game, the law of probability calculates OU's odds of going undefeated at about 4.5 percent.

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma sophomore quarterback Landry Jones was not pleased with how he played in Thursday's scrimmage.

"I didn't play very well in the scrimmage," Jones said. "I had a lot of mental busts. I have to come back and keep working, keep striving. Put it in the back of my mind, forget about this one and get better."

NORMAN, Okla. - Who could have guessed in August this team could become Oklahoma's worst of the decade?

Other than Andre Ware, no one.

But after Saturday's 10-3 loss at Nebraska, that's where this team appears headed.

Bob Stoops' previously worst team this decade was the 2005 Sooners, who dropped a shocking home opener to TCU before being routed by UCLA and Texas.

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops doesn't want to talk about it.

He doesn't want his players to, either.

But the biggest question surrounding the Sooners football program remains: Will injured Heisman winner Sam Bradford be ready in time to play at ninth-ranked Miami next weekend?

In the 74-year history of the Heisman Trophy, only one player, Ohio State's Archie Griffin, has been able to win the Trophy twice.

This season, Oklahoma quarterback and reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford will attempt to become the second.

Before Kevin Wilson called his first play as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator in 2006, he faced immediate crisis.

Not long ago, when asked which superhero he most closely resembled, running back Chris Brown offered a surprising answer.
"Robin," he said, referring to his sidekick status in the Oklahoma backfield behind DeMarco Murray.
But after leading the Big 12 Conference with 20 rushing touchdowns, perhaps it's time for the Boy Wonder to elect a more apt superhero.