Nebraska and Oklahoma scuffle ahead of renewed rivalry
There appears to be no love lost between Oklahoma and Nebraska as the two teams got into it, ahead of the renewed rivalry.
Nebraska and Oklahoma are facing off in the 50th anniversary of “The Game of the Century,” the 1971 classic between No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Oklahoma.
“Scott Frost very upset — voiced his opinion to the white hat — Oklahoma players went across midfield to as far as NU’s 40 before exiting the field,” Andy Kendeigh of KETV said. “(Nebraska Athletic Director) Trev Alberts also in the discussion with the officials — things heating up already in Norman”
The Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers last faced off in the Big 12 Championship in 2010, prior to Nebraska leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten. In their last matchup, Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 23-20. Oklahoma also leads the series 45-38-3.
Nebraska enters the game as major underdogs, after starting the season 2-1, with a season-opening loss to Illinois. In the fourth year of Scott Frost’s tenure, Nebraska is 14-21, and has yet to play in a bowl game. After starting the year with a disappointing 30-22 loss to Iowa, Nebraska rallied with back-to-back wins over Fordham and Buffalo by a combined score of 80-10
Oklahoma has playoff expectations in 2021, and despite entering the game undefeated, the Sooners had a season-opening scare against Tulane, squeaking by 40-35. In week two, Oklahoma handled Western Carolina, 76-0
The most iconic matchup between the two teams came in 1971. Riding a 20-game win streak, the reigning national champions Nebraska, ranked No. 1, defeated No. 2 Oklahoma 35-31.
Lincoln Riley excited to renew the rivalry
Oklahomaa head coach Lincoln Riley is excited to renew the rivalry.
“It’s an exciting week, I’m really looking forward to this game,” Riley said to reporters on Tuesday. “There’s been a lot of buildup and rightfully so. We’re talking about one of the greatest rivalries in the history of this game, one of the most influential rivalries. To get a chance to bring that game back to life here this year is a great opportunity. We have talked to our team a little bit about the significance of this rivalry, what it means and the history behind it.”
In the eight matchups between the two teams since 2000, Oklahoma has beaten Nebraska six times. Saturday’s game is set to kick off in Norman at 12 noon ET.