Stoops Reacts to OU's BCS Selection

NORMAN, Okla. -- Head Coach Bob Stoops met with the media Sunday night following the announcement that Oklahoma will play in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game.

Watch Sunday Night's Press Conference | Sooners vs. Gators for National Title

The Sooners, who earned the No. 1 seed in the BCS standings with their 62-21 victory over Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game, will meet No. 2 Florida at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla., on January 8, 2009. The Gators defeated previously unbeaten Alabama, 31-20, to win the SEC title Saturday in Atlanta.

Following are quotes from Coach Stoops from Sunday's press conference.

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening Statement:
“It's a great opportunity. I love the way our team has played the last three or four weeks. I know they're anxious and excited about the opportunity. So we're just going to get ready in the month leading up to it and get prepared for it. It's satisfying. It's a long and hard-fought process to work through 13 games and be where we are. I appreciate the players efforts and the assistant coaches for that. It's exciting and an exciting opportunity.”

On the Big 12 and SEC success:
“There are some other really good football teams out there, Penn State and USC. It's hard to deny how well those guys have played too. I have a hard time determining which league is the best league, there are still always some teams at the top of most leagues that can play with anybody.”

On playing in Miami:
“I don't know that our guys really care where it is. It's an opportunity of the game and getting the chance to play in that kind of game."

On preparing to play Florida:
“Yeah I'm excited, I've been on teleconference calls all day answering questions. It just happened today, we haven't seen them yet. I haven't really had the chance to really see their games all year. I know they're talented, I've seen enough highlights. I've seen all the skill and the speed but that doesn't really surprise me. I would expect that, so we'll see after I get a chance to watch them.”

On Florida's low turnover margin:
“It's always a factor and fortunately we (knocking on wooden podium) don't turn the ball over either. In the end it is always an issue. It's a factor in all of the games, not just big games.”

On the bowl practice schedule:
“We won't practice this week and after that we will start to get in some practices around recruiting and final schedules.”

On answering the team's criticism going into the National Title game:
“I know everything that has been said about our program but at the same time I know that we've had our share of success. In the end, it's another opportunity and they are never easy."

On he or Urban Meyer becoming the first coach with two BCS titles:
“It says a lot about the parity of the game. There are a lot of good teams and good players. It's not easy to do. But it's been that way, however long you want to go back, but especially in the last five or six years.”

On playing coaches and teams he knows:
“I have a lot of close associations. The good thing about playing your brother or someone you know is that someone has to win.”

On Mike Balogun and Auston English's play in the Big 12 Championship:
“Mike Balogun did good. He did good overall. I was pleased with him, we're making some strides. Auston (English) did well for the most part, a little rusty, but he held up fine and contributed.”

On defensive back Quinton Carter:
“Quinton Carter has always been a big hitter. He has played more and more throughout the year as we rotated some of those safeties which is a big plus going into next year. He's always been a big hitter like that and he has played consistent through the year so we're really excited about that.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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