Just as Oklahoma is set to commence Big 12 play in earnest, the unbeaten Sooners have been hit with their first significant obstacle of the 2014 season.
During a Monday teleconference, head coach Bob Stoops revealed that running back Keith Ford is dealing with a foot injury. Specifically, Ford has a slight fracture in the foot.
As a result, Stoops said, Ford will be sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks.
Such a timeline means Ford will definitely miss this weekend’s road trip to improved West Virginia. The silver lining for OU is that it has a bye the weekend of Sept. 27 before the Oct. 4 game against TCU, meaning Ford would miss just two games if the pessimistic end of the prognosis comes to fruition.
It should also mean that Ford will definitely be on the field for Oklahoma’s annual rivalry game against Texas Oct. 11.
Ford currently leads the Sooners with 197 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He’s also the third-leading receiver with 100 yards on six catches, adding in another touchdown through the air for good measure.
The OU ground game will be in good hands in Ford’s absence, with Samaje Perine (177 yards) and Alex Ross (132) more than capable of handling the load.