Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he doesn’t consider it “necessary” for the Sooners to remain in the same league with Texas when the latest round of conference realignment shakes out. During today’s news conference in Norman, Okla., Stoops added that the annual Red River Rivalry game in Dallas could be a casualty of the realignment process.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to keep the OU-Texas game if we do move out of a conference with Texas,” Stoops said, adding that he plans to leave the realignment decisions to school president David Boren and athletic director Joe Castiglione. “I know no one wants to hear that, but things change. If it changes, you’ve got to change with it. I love the game, but if it doesn’t work out we will find other places to play and get excited about.”
Asked about remaining in a conference with Texas in the future, Stoops said: “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
He pointed out that the Oklahoma football program adapted to losing its annual game with longtime rival Nebraska, now a member of the Big Ten, during the Cornhuskers’ 15 seasons as a Big 12 member.
“All the sudden we weren’t playing Nebraska anymore, but we are still here,” Stoops said. “Life goes on. You find other rivalries and other places to go and enjoy the game and enjoy the experience. Whatever happens, we will adjust to it.”
Asked about joining an expanded Pac-16, Stoops said: “Sure. Why not? But I’m not lobbying for anything … whatever (Boren and Castiglione) want, I’m all in.”
_ Jimmy Burch
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