Tulsa World: OU's Stoops not into Texas rivalry talk

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OU's Stoops not into Texas rivalry talk

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 10/7/2008 2:27 PM
Last Modified: 10/7/2008 4:35 PM

Audio: Bob Stoops discusses his relationship with Mack Brown. Stoops also talks about the rumors that once had him becoming a coach at Texas. Did it almost happen? (approx. 1 minute)

Audio: Can OU protect quarterback Sam Bradford from the Texas defensive line? Bob Stoops discusses the Longhorn pass rushers. (approx. 1 minute)

Audio: Listen to Bob Stoops discuss the play of OU’s secondary this season. He has a strong opinion. (approx. 1 minute)

Audio: Listen to a nine-minute Q&A session Tuesday with OU quarterback Sam Bradford

NORMAN – Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops doesn't get all the talk about a rivalry between him and Texas' Mack Brown.

Stoops has dominated the head-to-head meetings with Brown, winning six of nine – including two by scores of 63-14 and 65-13, and two other defensive showcases that ended 12-0 and 14-3.

But Stoops on Tuesday once again downplayed any sense of a rivalry. In fact, he downplayed his relationship in general with Brown.

"It's hard to have a relationship with a guy you don't ever see and have never coached with," Stoops said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. (FOR MORE OF STOOPS' DISCUSSION, LISTEN TO THE AUDIO CLIP ABOVE.)

On why he's been so successful against Brown: "That's not a fair statement. We've done well overall as a program, Oklahoma versus Texas. We've been fortunate to win six, and we got our butt beat in three."

On the injury situation regarding center Jon Cooper and defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Demarcus Granger: "Right now we expect everyone to play. To what degree, we'll see Saturday."

On Texas' defensive scheme being similar to that of LSU when UT coordinator Will Muschamp was at LSU: "Yeah, to some degree. But we're a much different team than '03, as well as they're not LSU. You know, that's awhile ago. Everyone has different schemes. Some of what they do, I'm sure, is similar. Some has evolved. You're working with different personnel."

On both OU and Texas being better this season than last season: "That's probably fair to say. I know we're a way stronger team than a year ago overall, and I would say that about Texas, as well."

On whether issues with the special teams were fixed last week at Baylor: "Well, they were for a week. In the end, you just have to keep snapping it and keep playing. We've worked 'em hard. They were improved a week ago and we worked 'em hard again this week."

On if he feels a different intensity for OU-Texas: "Oh, there's a lot more electricity. That's probably fair to say, sure. Once you've taken the field, you don't have any problem (getting excited). The hair's up on the back of your neck and you're kind of anxious to go. It's probably fair to say."

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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golfwife, (10/7/2008 3:18:00 PM)

As an avid fan since the 50ies, I have to place Stoops among the top in O. U. coaches.

Thank you Stoops for being such a classy guy.

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