OU's Bob Stoops: Big non-conference games 'high risk, low reward'

"It's only good if you win and you don't get your quarterback hurt," Stoops said during Monday's Big 12 teleconference. "If you lose and get your quarterback hurt like we did a year ago with Sam Bradford, then it isn't any good. In the end, that's the bottom line. It's high risk. Anymore it's fairly low reward."

Players, though, are united. They prefer playing big-name programs.

Days before the Sooners open the season against Utah State, defensive players available after Monday's practice said they prefer playing Florida State, Cincinnati and Air Force this season, playing Miami and BYU last season.

"That's why you come here," said defensive tackle Adrian Taylor. "You come here or come to Florida State or Florida so you can play the top teams. Some people are along for the ride at some schools. You come to Oklahoma because you want to play tough teams. You want to be challenged."

OU next season plays at Florida State. The Sooners have a home-and-home series with Notre Dame in 2012-13.

"The risky nonconference schedule, that's what you want," said safety Jonathan Nelson. "Why else would you be playing football? You don't play football to be walking on eggshells."

Stoops used to feel the same way.

"I don't know how much it helps you," Stoops said earlier this month. "It all gets down to if you lose one game by a point to one of those teams, and someone else plays four teams that are easy, and at the end of the year you have one more loss than they do, they're going to be ranked ahead of you."

The Sooners are a 31-point favorite against Utah State. Players said they won't look past the Aggies, but high-profile, nonconference games are one reason they signed with OU.