Franchione downplays OU game's significance

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA - Alabama is playing the No. 2 team in the nation, a traditional power in the heartland where Dennis Franchione grew up. <br> <br> It&#39;s a pretty big game, right? Maybe even the equivalent of a bowl game since the Crimson Tide is currently banned from a real one? <br> <br> ``Nah, this is the second game on our schedule,&#39;&#39; the Alabama coach said. <br> <br> The first game was tough enough. Alabama stormed out to a 22-point lead and held on for dear life in Saturday&#39;s 39-34 victory over Middle Tennessee in a game that wasn&#39;t expected to be that close. <br> <br> ``On the good side, we found a way to win and made a few more plays than our opponent,&#39;&#39; Franchione said. <br> <br> On the bad side were 16 penalties for 126 yards and a mediocre performance in the kicking game. <br> <br> Kickoff man Lane Bearden struggled to get the ball in the end zone, and his second kick went out of bounds at the 19. Roberto McBride returned two punts for 12 yards in replacing the injured Antonio Carter and Shaud Williams averaged a modest 21 yards on three kickoff returns. <br> <br> ``We&#39;ve got to play much better there,&#39;&#39; Franchione said. ``That was disappointing that we did not play a better game there. <br> <br> ``The penalties were certainly very disappointing. Both have been points of emphasis. We&#39;ve worked extremely hard in the kicking game, and we had officials to administer penalties in practice.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Alabama won&#39;t likely be able to overcome such miscues this week against the Sooners, who shared the No. 1 ranking with Miami last week. <br> <br> Oklahoma routed Tulsa 37-0 Friday night, a game that Franchione watched on tape after his own game. He was impressed. <br> <br> The Kansas native did concede that the game between two traditional powerhouses makes for a pretty good storyline. <br> <br> ``I think it&#39;s an exciting game,&#39;&#39; Franchione said. ``Two great football programs down through the years. <br> <br> ``They&#39;re clicking on all cylinders and they&#39;ve got great athletes and they&#39;re well coached and they&#39;re playing at home. All that together certainly makes for a tough game.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> He insists his team wasn&#39;t looking ahead in the opener. Alabama was heavily favored but couldn&#39;t put the game away until Freddie Roach&#39;s late interception for a touchdown. <br> <br> ``I think Middle Tennessee&#39;s probably a lot better team than people realize,&#39;&#39; Franchione said. ``They were in the top 10 in the nation in total offense last year and had most of that team back. <br> <br> ``That team would beat a lot of people.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> TIDE TALES: Alabama coaches named quarterback Tyler Watts and receiver Triandos Luke offensive backs of the week. Wesley Britts was offensive lineman of the week while Roach and defensive back Hirschel Bolden took defensive honors. ... Carter&#39;s status remains unknown for the Oklahoma game, but he&#39;ll be evaluated Monday ... DeMeco Ryans was the only true freshman to play for the Tide. Franchione said Jeremy Clark and Greg McLain would have played if the game hadn&#39;t been so close.