Dillon Gabriel opens up on how much pressure is on him after Oklahoma's second loss
Oklahoma finds itself in a much different spot than they were in just two weeks ago. Still, even with the Sooners falling out of the picture for the College Football Playoff, QB Dillon Gabriel isn’t letting go of the rope when it comes to guiding his team.
Gabriel spoke about his approach to leading OU moving forward during a media availability on Monday. He said he didn’t fear the challenge of taking them out of their two-game losing streak because it’s what he signed up for. This skid was not what they were planning but, with it now being the circumstances they’re in, Gabriel is prepared to carry that load in order to try and get the team back on the right track.
“It’s a part of it,” said Gabriel. “It’s on my shoulders, it’s on everyone’s shoulders. But me being in the leadership position? And, also, playing quarterback for these guys? It’s what I signed up for so I’m not shying away from it.”
“I was prepared for it – not necessarily with those two but just in general. All that comes with it,” Gabriel said.
Again, this is a very different outlook that Oklahoma has to start November than they had in mid-October.
At 6-0 after a win over Texas in the Red River Rivalry, the Sooner’s path to the playoff was a clear one. A close call against UCF off their bye week caused some concern but, at that point, they were still 7-0.
However, that case to the committee has come apart over the past two weeks. Oklahoma has dropped their last two contests, albeit in close fashion and on the road, against Kansas and versus Oklahoma State in the final edition of Bedlam.
There’s nothing the Sooners can do to change what has happened since October 28th. All Gabriel and his teammates can try now is to put themselves back into some kind of position in the conference and the national race starting this weekend against West Virginia.
“I love these guys,” said Gabriel. “We’ve got to get back to work.”
Mike Gundy doubles down on future of Bedlam
In Mike Gundy’s eyes, Bedlam is over.
After Oklahoma State’s 27-24 win over Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys’ head coach explained why he believes the historic rivalry is over as fans know it.
“During the regular season? It won’t happen,” Gundy said. “We’ll end up playing Oklahoma in bowl games. The SEC and the Big 12 have ties in bowl games and they don’t have locked-in teams playing each other based on where you finished.
“I’m gonna guess probably not so far down the road bowl games are going to negotiate around and want us to play (Oklahoma) in a bowl game somewhere because it’s going to be sold out, revenue. It’d be a big deal.”
The two programs will no longer meet in the regular season due to Oklahoma’s decision to join the SEC. The Sooners will officially leave the Big 12 in July 2024. The move will mark the end of a storied rivalry.
The teams have faced off annually every year since 1910. In that time, Oklahoma boasts a 91-20-7 record over the Cowboys. Nonetheless, Oklahoma State stole the last laugh. The Cowboys handed Oklahoma its second-straight loss, knocking the Sooners out of the top 10.