The Sooners are coming off an 11-3 season in which they became the first Big 12 Conference team to repeat as league champion. OU, however, also lost for the second year in a row in the Fiesta Bowl. Stoops, who now has a 4-5 record in bowl games as the Sooners' head coach, said he didn't think this year's team has drawn offseason motivation from either the success or the failure of last season.

"There's always pushing for more," Stoops said. "Each team, it's a new year. I say the same thing every time. I've never seen one year tied to the other. We've won the national championship before, and it didn't have anything to do with the next year, and we've lost in it and it didn't have anything to do with the next year. Different team, new players, coaches change here and there. So in the end, you've got to go earn it again.

"I'll say that we've been pretty consistent in going after the Big 12 Championship, and that's what we intend to do again next year. Hopefully we can finish the year a little better."

Other excerpts from Stoops' press conference:

On developing depth at the running back position during the spring, with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown out with knee injuries:

"Perfect chance, with Mossis Madu and Justin Johnson (getting) the bulk of it. We'll get Matt Clapp some back there as well, but those guys have not played much at all, and it'll be a great opportunity. We already know what the other guys can do. It's perfect."

On the spring outlook for the defensive backfield, with '07 starters Reggie Smith, Marcus Walker and D.J. Wolfe having left:

"Nic Harris, with his shoulder surgery, won't be in there. But Nic's played a lot of football, and he'll be fine once he's back in there and once the summer comes. With he and Lendy (Holmes) being the guys with the bulk of the snaps. The other guys, you know who they all are. Quenton Carter, Jamell Fleming, Dominique Franks -- Brian Jackson's had a great winter and has shown a lot of promise. So I don't know. We'll see. We're going to work 'em all."

On replacing All-American and Big 12 defensive player of the year Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker:

"Yeah, that'll be another strong challenge that we'll see. We've got guys that are capable, guys that we've been bringing up in there that'll have to step up and be prepared to make those kind of plays right off the bat. It's already been talked about, but we're looking at using Ryan (Reynolds) in the middle now more. He's had a great winter. I think another year removed from that (knee) surgery, he's feeling better and looks good in all his workouts. So that's where we'll start, and all those guys, it's who's being competitive in there and who's doing the best job and the most consistent job."