Oklahoma’s early-season misfortunes have put an end to any national championship hopes. However, it doesn’t mean a championship can’t be won.

The Big 12 Conference championship is still up for grabs and that’s where the Sooners’ attention has shifted. OU might be 1-2, but as far as the Big 12 race is concerned, they’re dead even with everybody at 0-0.

It’s chance to start over when Kansas State comes to Owen Field to face the Sooners at 6 p.m. Saturday.

“There’s a sense of that,” OU coach Bob Stoops said at his media luncheon Tuesday. “I’m not much on trying to hide from the past and start again. But in the end, what we do in the Big 12 Conference is what truly does matter.

“There’s a sense that we realize this is the most important part of the season. If we’ve made improvement over the last four weeks, it needs to show. And that’s what we’re pushing for. There’s an excitement to get into Big 12 play and get going with it.”

What’s not to be excited about? The Sooners believe they’re starting to get some of their issues sorted out.

Freshman quarterback Rhett Bomar completed 20-of-29 passes for 241 yards against UCLA. His performance included flaws, like several mishandled snaps on the quarterback-center exchange.

Running back Adrian Peterson has rushed for 341 yards in three games, but was held in check in losses to TCU and the Bruins. Some extra practice for a shuffled offensive line couldn’t have hurt.

Stoops feels strides have been made in both areas and the Sooners could be ready to turn a corner

“We’ll see,” he said. “I feel good that what we’re asking our guys to do. We’re doing it better right now, running and throwing.

“But it has to be proven out there on the field in game situations. We’ll see, but I feel like we’ve made some solid progress.”

How much progress is the question.

To a man, OU believes a better team will walk onto Owen Field Saturday night than the one that walked out of the Rose Bowl Sept. 17.

Beginning conference play adds to their belief that there’s better things to come.

“It’s Big 12 week now,” tight end Bubba Moses said. “Coming out of the UCLA game, I wish we’d won. We’ve improved since Day One all the way to Week Three. I think everyone is confident coming off of the UCLA week.”