OU football notebook

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn't wait for any questions in Wednesday's post-practice meeting with reporters. He jumped right into his answer for the only question still lingering at this point in the week — the condition of tailback Allen Patrick's ankle.

"He went through half the practice,” Stoops said. "Looked good, ran better. He said he feels better than he did when he played on it last year. So we'll see. He's getting better, and we're working him towards playing.”

Patrick missed two games when he sprained the same ankle late last season.

Stoops showed no concern that Reggie Smith's nagging injuries, primarily a sore hip, will be an issue on Saturday against North Texas.

"He'll be 100 percent Saturday,” Stoops said.

•Who's No. 2? Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson isn't completely ready to commit to a No. 2 quarterback behind starter Sam Bradford yet.

Wilson said Tuesday that both junior Joey Halzle and freshman Keith Nichol are sharing snaps with the second team. But when asked who he would go with if he had to make a decision in an emergency situation during Saturday's game, Wilson picked Halzle.

"Joey goes in first righ” now," Wilson said, adding that he's slightly more comfortable with Halzle at this point.

"Don't read into that, that Keith is third and we're planning on redshirting him. We might need to play all ”hree."

•A view of the upgrades: The media was given a tour of some of the new features inside Gay—ord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Wednesday. The additions were part of the stadium's third phase of improvements and cost an estimated $12 million.

Included in the upgrades were the new video boards above the north end zone, improved concession stands, a public address system at each stadium gate and 65 new toilets in the women's restrooms.

•Prediction time: While the media walked through the stadium Wednesday, several features were being tested, including the scoreboard, which was lit up to resemble a game situation.

And apparently, the scoreboard operator has a prediction for how Saturday's game will go. The scoreboard read Oklahoma 42, North Texas 3.

By Scott Wright