Stoops, Brown talk OU-Texas in Weekly Presser

The two coaches had plenty to discuss regarding the Red River matchup on Saturday in Dallas.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

Stoops, Brown talk OU-Texas in Weekly Presser

Originally Published: Sep 27, 2010 12:17 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

DALLAS – OU coach Bob Stoops and Texas coach Mack Brown had no shortage of media attention and no shortage of things to say about their matchup during the Big 12’s weekly teleconference on Monday.

One recurring theme between the coaches was that the big atmosphere and location of the game is – and should remain – a tradition.

“I don’t see the Texas state fair changing with the tradition and history for both schools,” Stoops said. “If I didn’t like it and tried to change it, they’d probably fire me that day.

“You go with tradition and that’s what it is. It’s exciting and it’s everything you want out of college football.”

Brown said the location and 50-50 split of the fans make the annual game a tradition unique among college football.

“The fans are split down the middle,” he said. “Both groups are yelling in pregame all the time and there’s 50 percent of the people that are screaming all the time and sometimes 100 percent of the people.”

Though the merging of the fans can make for an unpredictable atmosphere, recent results on the field have been somewhat more predictable.

The series seems to have gradually shifted back-and-forth lately. OU won five straight from 2000-2004, but Texas has since won four of the past five.

Brown said the momentum shifts in the series only serve as more of a challenge to overcome when one team has lost several straight.

“I think that’s probably what has happened,” he said. “One group feels so much pressure because their fan base feels so much pressure and that’s probably what happened here in those first five years.”

Brown said former Texas coach Darrell Royal had a simple solution for breaking losing streaks.

“Coach Royal said when you’re in a situation where you’ve been beat a certain number of times by a team you have to be willing to stand up and take over,” Brown said. “You just have to play the game and try to make your own breaks.”

Even with Texas coming into the game outside of the top 20, both fan bases often view the Red River Rivalry game as crucial to their team’s resume. Besides bragging rights, the winner will at least share the lead – or in Texas’ case, sit alone – in the Big 12 standings.

But despite the hype, Stoops said the game is not the only important game on either team’s schedule.

“Overall, winning that game doesn’t do it for you,” he said. “It comes down to being able to finish the season and be a champion. And three of the last four years we have been the conference champion.”