✌🏽 Happy Wednesday, friends. Let’s ride.

🤔 Trivia: When was the last time Nebraska finished in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll of the season? [Answer in footnotes]

🏈 Rivalry not lost on OU

It’s difficult to envision Saturday’s game between Oklahoma and Nebraska matching the intensity of previous meetings.

The Huskers aren’t the program they were at the height of the series, while the Sooners still regularly cling to national title aspirations.

OU coach Lincoln Riley can confirm his staff has educated its players on the history of the old Big Eight’s premier rivalry, which ended before any of OU or Nebraska’s were in middle school.

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It’s still an important game to the university and its alumni. So, “if it’s important to those people,” Riley said, “it’s important to us.”

We’ll have more on the OU-Nebraska rivalry throughout the week, but for now, I’d recommend reading The Athletic’s piece on the roots of “Sooner Magic,” which stem from OU’s win over Nebraska in 1976. [👉🏽 Click here to read]

🗣 Grinch goes off

Too often, coaches say a lot without saying much.

That’s rarely been the case, however, with Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

The third-year OU assistant is candid and detailed with every answer he provides to the media. And Tuesday, Grinch had a lot to say. Almost like he was trying to send a message.

A few highlights from his session:

• For whatever reason, it feels rare coaches acknowledge the disparity between their opponents. But Grinch offered this up as to the stark difference in competition OU will face this Saturday against Nebraska and this past weekend against Western Carolina:

  “We’re not confused as to what this Saturday versus last Saturday is. We don’t play in the Southern Conference, and that’s no lack of respect for that group. This is a major test this weekend. The speed. That tackle that you made by the skin of your teeth is going to be a missed tackled this weekend. That’s fact, right? And close is not going to cut it.”

• The Sooner defense was the subject of ample offseason praise. But through two weeks, it’s difficult to definitively say this group is better than last year’s. Here is Grinch on expectations for his returning players:

  “Any time a guy is a returning player, we expect [them] to be a different dude than you were the year before. And thus far, I don't see a different... I don't see a different Brian Asamoah. I don't see a different David Ugwoegbu. I don't see a different DaShaun White. And that's a challenge to them. I haven't seen a different Pat Fields. I haven't seen a different Perrion Winfrey, in my opinion. I haven't seen a different Isaiah Thomas. That bar has gotta go up, and it's our job as coaches to get 'em there. It doesn't mean it's bad, but what's the standard?”

• Grinch was asked about true freshman Latrell McCutchin, who is expected to start against the Huskers after getting the nod this past weekend. While it’s understandable to get lost in the novelty of true freshman playing big roles, McCutchin’s quick rise is what OU hopes to be its new normal as its defensive recruiting continues to outgrow where it was 4-5 years ago. Grinch on McCutchin:

  “Just a young player that's developing like so many of those young guys this early in their career. I mean, our expectation for him is to have an impact. Is it going to be in a starting role? That's always decided each week. There's been several freshmen, you know, over the course of time that you don't even talk about being a possible starter for you. Let alone, going to the second game or third game of their freshman year. And so, in so many ways too, kind of ahead of schedule maybe that way. But that only lasts so long.”

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🤕 Injury report

Riley listed receiver Brian Darby as “out” and cornerback Woodi Washington as “doubtful” for Saturday’s game against Nebraska.

Riley also said several players are “questionable” without mentioning any of them by name. Freshman nickelback Billy Bowman figures to be among that group after he left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.

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On this day

Forty-two years ago today, Oklahoma faced an Iowa team that featured future Sooners head coach Bob Stoops at defensive back. OU won 21-6.