Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops typically meets with the media for a few minutes after each Monday practice. Those media gatherings usually have the warmth of a visit to a tax auditor.
But as Stoops has matured in his role as coach, his sessions the week before the Texas game are always different. Tulsa World beat writer John Hoover, who is around Stoops as much as anybody this time of year, provided an interesting analysis of how the bright lights before the big game tend to change Stoops.
Hoover blogged about how differently Stoops always is when the horde of Texas media members venture north to write about his team this week. Hoover described him as "warm, welcoming and downright funny" with the Longhorns in sight.
I've noticed this trend during several trips to Norman during the week before the Texas game. I also think it's no coincidence that the Sooners take an attitude -- almost a bravado, in fact -- from seeing how loose and relaxed their coach is before and especially during the game.
The Sooners have won six out of nine games against Texas during that time. They've taken a swagger from their coach that's usually allowed them to play pretty well against the Longhorns when he's coached them.
Recent bowl games, however, have been a different story. Maybe his transformation before the Texas game would suit him well when bowl preparations begin, too.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
