Bob Stoops Confident Oklahoma Players Will Be Motivated for Alamo Bowl

Stoops took over as interim head coach following the departure of Lincoln Riley to USC.

The No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners are preparing to close out their 2021 campaign in just over a week’s time when they face off with the No. 14 Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Naturally, as is the case with most high-level programs playing in what is perceived as a “lesser” bowl game, the question of motivation level for the players has been discussed.

After all, the Sooners entered the year as one of the major favorites to potentially win the national title.

So, after failing to even qualify for the Big 12 title game, it seems it would only be human nature to enter next week’s game without the proper edge to play at their best.

That’s where interim head coach Bob Stoops says it is up to him, the coaching staff and the team leaders to make sure that the motivation level is where it needs to be.

Bob Stoops / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

“That’s part of your job as a coach and assistant coaches and team leaders, to motivate and understand, ‘look, if we’re going to go out and compete, we need to be at our best,’” Stoops said. “Who wants to go out and compete and not be at your best? To me, it’s part, to be a true competitor, you do find a way to be at your best when those moments come.”

Just as much focus on what the Ducks bring to the table and how to properly game plan for the opponent will be spent on making sure the players are dialed in and ready to win the game emotionally.

While it may be technically a glorified exhibition, the game counts in the record books - which means Stoops and company want to win it.

“That’s part of what we’ve talked about, what we’ll do in practice, the motivation leading up to the game, how to be prepared for it,” Stoops said. “So I think it’s part of your job each and every week as a coach, to make sure you find a way to have your team be at its best when it’s time to play.”

Some underlying motivation for Stoops could also lie in a chance to exact some revenge on the Ducks for their infamous 2006 meeting that ended in controversial fashion.

While the Oklahoma legend stated this year’s game has nothing to do with that contest, it is clear that the manner in which the game ended still sticks with Stoops 15 years later.

“Well, it didn’t take long, of course,” Stoops said on how long it took him to think of that game when the matchup was revealed. “I was reminded of it all the time. In fact, Toby Keith sent me the picture of Allen Patrick standing there, showing the sidelines the ball, where the officials in the middle of it pointing like he sees something in there other than a shoe.”

Allen Patrick (23) Holding the Football in 2006 Game vs Oregon

“But hey, that has nothing to do with this game so that's water under the bridge. And like I said, I still count myself as above 80 percent win (percentage) since we won that game.”

Stoops will get another crack at the Ducks next Wednesday night in San Antonio at 8:15 p.m. CT.