Photo by Joshua Lawton

CU defensive tackles Brandon Nicolas, center, and George Hypolite, rear, are playing "awesome" this season, according to coach Dan Hawkins.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops probably isn't losing a lot of sleep over the Colorado football team this week as he prepares for the third-ranked Sooners' visit to Folsom Field on Saturday.

If anyone in black and gold is keeping him up at night, chances are good their jersey numbers are 86 and 94.

Defensive tackles George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas had a pretty decent day the last time they saw Stoops and the Sooners. The Buffs lost 24-3 in Norman, Okla., a year ago, but the CU defense kept the game close — it was 10-0 going into the fourth quarter in large part because of the way Hypolite and Nicolas played.

Nicolas recorded a career-best nine tackles in the game and three of Hypolite's five tackles that windy afternoon went for losses.

Earlier this week, Stoops said the Buffs were one of the best defenses his team faced last season and he sees the same commitment to fundamentals and scheme on film this year.

When CU coach Dan Hawkins was asked this week how the pair of junior defensive tackles were playing, he answered the question with one word.

"Awesome," he said. "We really came into the season feeling like those two guys had the potential to be All-Big 12 type players. I think they're living up to that."

Hypolite and Nicolas have combined for 35 tackles, five sacks and nine third-down stops in the first four games. Linebacker Jordon Dizon, who plays behind them and benefits from opponents' need to double-teamthem, is leading the nation in tackles. He credits his defensive line.

CU faces its toughest test of the season Saturday against the Sooners, who feature a massive offensive line which includes two products of Colorado high schools.

Junior tackle Phil Loadholt (Fountain Fort Carson High School) and junior center Jon Cooper (Fort Collins High School) escaped CU during the recruiting process under former coach Gary Barnett.

Three OU offensive linemen weight at least 325 pounds. Loadholt tips the scales at 352 pounds. Nicolas and Hypolite might be able to succeed through their speed this week against such monstrous road blocks.

Hawkins said the pair is better prepared to face a line like Oklahoma's this year than they were last season when they had such a good game.

"I think this year, they have much more confidence in what they're doing so they can play harder and faster than they could last year," Hawkins said. "And I think that is a huge, noticeable difference."

Hypolite is one of the most outgoing players on the CU roster. He is a popular interview request and could probably make a life for himself in sports broadcasting if he chose to. That will have to wait until after a likely pro career.

ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., ranks Hypolite as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the country among juniors. Hypolite says he is only that good because of the guy playing next to him.

"Sometimes Brandon will recognize something and whisper over to me on the line and I'll make a big play," Hypolite said. "Sometimes I'll see something and tell Brandon. Things like that are all instinctive and that's a good thing because if we're working instinctive, that means we're using our natural ability."

The strange part about Hypolite and Nicolas making such a fine pair now is that they were once mortal enemies. They both played offense and defense for rival high schools in the Los Angeles area and butted heads more than a few times on the field in four years at the prep level.

"It was interesting first coming in," Nicolas said. "We're pretty different. I was pretty surprised first meeting him. He's so outgoing and loud and just loves to talk. I'm kind of the opposite. I could care less if I talk."

Many of their locker room conversations these days still focus on the good old days back home where Hypolite played defensive line and fullback for Loyola High School and Nicolas played defensive tackle and offensive tackle for Mater Dei High School, one of the most renowned programs in the nation.

"I can tell you this, on his senior homecoming, Loyola walked in and walked out with a victory," Hypolite said.

Hypolite and Nicolas first formed a bond on the field, but it has grown away from football. They hang out together in their free time and during the offseason they feed off one another in the weight room and in running workouts.

As most brothers will attest, spending so much time together leads to a unique familiarity.

"I think we play great together on the field," Nicolas said. "We know what each other are doing all the time. We can just look at each other, say one thing and we know what we're doing."