NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — No. 8 Oklahoma and its fourth-ranked rushing defense will seek to maintain College Football Playoff placement against FBS-leading rusher Ahmad Hardy and No. 23 Missouri on Saturday.

The Sooners (8-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference, No. 8 CFP) will need to slow Hardy if they are to follow their 23-21 win over then-No. 4 Alabama with another top-25 victory.

Hardy has rushed for 1,346 yards in 10 games for Missouri (7-3, 3-3, No. 22 CFP). The Doak Walker Award semifinalist ran for 300 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers’ 49-27 win over Mississippi State last weekend.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables noted that Hardy has nearly 1,000 yards after contact this season.

“I’ve never heard of such a stat,” Venables, Oklahoma’s defensive play caller, said.

Venables said

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