To the players, it’s matter of starting with a sense of urgency. They know what is expected from them this season and they know what they expect from themselves.

Alexander said he expects to see a more business-like approach to this season.

Running back Adrian Peterson said there will be a difference when the Sooners hit the practice field for the first time.

“It will be more intense,” he said. “It was intense last year, but it will be even more this year. I’ll make sure of that.”

Peterson and Alexander know there’s a lot riding on their shoulders. Peterson is the conference’s preseason offensive player of the year and Alexander claimed the defensive award.

But getting the Sooners on track early is where their focus is at the present time.

“Last year we had some guys that expected to win because they had the Oklahoma jersey and they had seen it happen time after time in the past,” Alexander said. “It’s not the case. You have to go out and prepare to win every week against every team. If we prepare right for every game, we should win every game.”

Confidence has never been something the Sooners lack. But they’re sending out a different aura as the 2006 season nears.

They expect more from themselves and they know what it takes to reach that level.

They won’t settle for anything less.

“It’s our job as coaches to demand that,” Stoops said. “It’s the players’ job to accept it and respond to it and to play that way so we have an opportunity to compete for a championship.”

Most believe they will.

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com