OU football: Five things we learned from Monday's Cotton Bowl media availability

Oklahoma brought its two offensive coordinators and five of its key offensive playmakers to Monday's morning press conference to discuss this year's bowl game. Here's what the team had to say about the upcoming match against Texas A&M.

1. Oklahoma isn't entertaining the Big 12 vs. SEC hype

One of the storylines for this year's Cotton Bowl matchup is watching two of the top collegiate conferences go head to head in what will be one of this year's highly-anticipated bowl game. But as former conference foes,OU isn't buying into that hype.

"It's not about conference pride," junior center Gabe Ikard said. "It's more about playing a really good football team and winning the game."

2. Sooners offense knows what to expect against A&M's defense

This year OU has relied on the seasoned arm of senior quarterback Landry Jones who will make his fourth-career consecutive bowl game appearance. But after facing the Aggies regularly during the conference schedule, Jones and the rest of the Sooner offensive arsenal already know what type of stifling defense they expect to go up against when the two teams collide in this year's Cotton Bowl game.

"The biggest thing they do is get you into third down and then they do a good job of getting getting you off the field," co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. "Basically they do a good job at challenging the quarterback and they're going to challenge our strengths."

3. Wide receivers have chance to validate season

Last season, junior wide receiver Kenny Stills said he was tired of hearing how the corp performed following the loss of former receiver Ryan Broyles. Stills said the group spent the summer correcting the mistakes from a season ago and will now have the chance to prove just how far they've come with the new additions against an A&M defense that will also look to make their own statement.

"As a unit, everyone helped out," Stills said. "I don't feel like there are games that they can put on us and I feel like our receiving corp can match anyone's out there."

4. Seniors not letting the emotions get to them

There are over 20 seniors on the OU roster that will be making their final appearances in a Sooner uniform this week and leaving with win during the final game is something that was on the mind of senior transfer Justin Brown, who will be making his last appearance on the collegiate gridiron. Brown admitted that as a senior there is more riding on this year's final game for the veterans that won't return after this year, but that wasn't the only reason why the Sooners are vying for a win on Friday.

"It's the last game for the senior class, but we really just want to get the bowl win regardless that this is our last game," Brown said. "There's a lot of attention around the game and that's why it's important to get the win."

5. Could be more than just the seniors' last game

Junior fullback Trey Millard may not be back next season. Although OU offensive media day was certainly focused on Jones' last collegiate football outing as the starting quarterback, Millard revealed that he may forego his senior season and declare for the draft.

Tobi Neidy

Tobi is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Photographer and Sports Reporter.