Oklahoma (6-2) managed 342 yards of total offense and 13 downs, well below its season averages after most of the Sooners' production came on a 76-yard catch-and-run from Isaiah Setagna in the first half and Xavier Robinson's 65-yard scamper in the third quarter.

The Rebels represent a conference pedigree that is second to none and more challenging than anything generations of Sooners faced in their previous leagues.

Last season, as Oklahoma football was staggering to only its second losing season in 25 years, school leaders understood that they needed more than a rebuilding year. They needed to completely rethink their approach. College football was changing around ...