Big 12 Football Media Days: Oklahoma Notebook

Here are some quick hits and notable items from Oklahoma's time at Big 12 Media Day:

-In a huge non-upset, the first question OU coach Bob Stoops faced was one regarding Blake Bell's throwing ability. In another huge non-upset, Stoops declined to say whether or not Bell would be OU's starter in the fall. "You're kind of making assumptions if you think he's the guy right now," Stoops retorted.

-Stoops said no matter who ended up as the starting quarterback, he would consider using the other quarterbacks in some sort of Belldozer-like package. "The thing about you putting Kendal or Trevor back there to run it, they're faster," Stoops said. "So you've got more options there of what you're able to do with them. Or if they happen to hit a crease, they're not likely to be caught very soon."

-Stoops said slowing the offense down a touch thanks to a veteran offensive line and stable of running backs was a real possibility. He didn't say it would be a snail's pace, but he did express a desire to be able to chew up clock and give the defense a rest in the pass-happy Big 12.

RELATED: Oklahoma State Media Day Notebook

-When asked about the new targeting rule, Stoops said he was "probably" as confused as the media were. He added OU will have officials come talk to the team during fall camp to explain the targeting rules.

-Stoops did confirm his wife, Carol, will be in Dallas later this week for the Mary Kay convention going on at the same hotel as Big 12 Media Days. "Get your wives into it," Stoops quipped. "It would be good for them. I'm recruiting."

-Big 12 Coordinator of Officials Walt Anderson led off the day with a discussion of the new targeting penalty in college football. Those penalties will result in an ejection. It could be a very interesting year in college football with the implementation of that rule. Much more to come on this later.

-Players and coaches had a mixed reaction to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby's comments on a separate division for the BCS conference schools. Some felt it was unfair while others simply didn't want to lose the ability to play non-BCS schools in nonconference play. Stoops said it was certainly something that needed to be looked at, if for no other reason than to make sure it was a decent possibility. Baylor coach Art Briles said whatever Bowlsby thought was good for the Big 12 was good enough for him.

RELATED: Bowlsby Hints At Drastic Changes

-OU fullback Trey Millard went to Ireland this summer with Blake Bell and Gabe Ikard as part of a pilot program studying sports and culture. Millard said it was a great experience playing some of the local sports and said hurling, (link to this Wiki explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurling) a game similar to field hockey, was the hardest thing he's ever played.