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The Oklahoma Sooners currently sit at 4-0 with the most recent win coming over the West Virginia Mountaineers in conference play. With the current state of Big 12 officiating, it's difficult to predict when an erroneous call could drastically change the outcome of a game. Now, possibly more than ever, Bob Stoops recognizes the need to eliminate mistakes. On Saturday, the Oklahoma Sooners racked up twelve penalties through four quarters of play.
Stoops: "Angry at our team, disappointed in lack of discipline." Calls penalties "foolish." #Sooners
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) October 5, 2015
However, there's more to contend with heading into the Cotton Bowl for rivalry week. Fanbases across the nation laugh at the Texas Longhorns and the current situation unfolding in Austin. Yet the reality is that Charlie Strong's four losses come to programs standing a combined 19-1 this season. Texas could have easily added two wins to their record had these two events not occurred...
Rivalry brings out the best of the competition and the Longhorns possess Jay Norvell, a close friend of Bob Stoops with an intimate knowledge of the Sooners and individual skill sets of players like Sterling Shepard.
Shepard on Norvell: I talked to him a little today. It was weird seeing him in that burnt orange. I don’t think it fits him well. #OU
— John Shinn (@john_shinn) October 5, 2015
Shepard on Norvell: I'm sure he's given them (Texas) plenty information on all of us.
— John Shinn (@john_shinn) October 5, 2015
Lastly, antics by a single entity in burnt orange gave rise to a new halftime rule for Oklahoma. Playing witness to a shellacking, freshman defensive back Kris Boyd retweeted an invite to transfer to Texas A&M. Needless to say, Sterling Shepard thought the rule was already in place.
Shepard on #OU's halftime cell phone policy: I don't think you're supposed to have one. If he (Stoops) see it, he'll take it and snap it.
— John Shinn (@john_shinn) October 5, 2015
Sterling Shepard figured Stoops would "snap" the cell phone if he saw a player on it during game. Stoops: "That's prob a fair assessment."
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) October 5, 2015