Thursday, December 30
Oklahoma ready for roll of dice
Associated Press
SHREVEPORT, La. -- The city of Shreveport has several
casinos, and some of the Oklahoma football players have visited
during their stay this week.
"I told my mom I haven't, but I have done a little bit,"
receiver Jarrail Jackson said at Thursday's final news conference
before Friday's Independence Bowl game.
Jackson said he has played the quarter slot machines, with mixed
results.
"I'd be up, and then they'd take it all back," he said.
All business
One gets the impression that Oklahoma coach Bob
Stoops could do without all the events that are part of a bowl
trip.
Someone asked him on Thursday what had been the best part of the
week for him.
"Tomorrow," he said. "My favorite part, by far and away, is
the games, getting out there on the field and getting in the middle
of it. Nothing touches that."
What about the highlight of the week so far?
"Up to today? I guess practice," Stoops said. Then he quickly
made sure to add a postscript.
"I don't mean to offend anyone, because everything -- and I mean
it -- everything's been fantastic," he said. "All the people who
have been hosting us have been tremendous. The functions for the
players have been outstanding. But I just enjoy football."
Lasting effects
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said that
regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, the Independence Bowl
experience will benefit his team.
"I think this entire experience leading up to the game is going
to impact our program in a positive way," he said.
"I don't believe whether you win or lose the game is going to
affect the following year. I think it could affect the way the
players remember the experience.
"The best part of this bowl function and the bowl opportunity
is playing in the game. That's what you remember. The rest will all
drift away, but you remember that. You remember winning or
losing."
No dropoff expected
Oklahoma lost its offensive coordinator
when Mike Leach took the head coaching job at Texas Tech after the
regular season. Oklahoma's coaches say they don't expect any
problems making the adjustment, and Mississippi coach David
Cutcliffe agrees.
"After you've played 11 games, I don't think it's that big an
issue," Cutcliffe said. "The other coaches are in the same staff
meetings, doing the same game planning. The players certainly know
what they're doing at that stage."
This and that
The Independence Bowl will mark the first
meeting of Oklahoma and Mississippi. Both have rich bowl histories
-- the Rebels have played in 27 bowl games, Oklahoma in 32. ... The
last time Oklahoma faced a Southeastern Conference team was 1982,
at Kentucky. ... Ole Miss has won three straight bowl games, its
longest streak since winning five in a row from 1956 to 1961.
