The Bears played their best game of the season against the then-No. 3 Sooners in their last game at McLane Stadium on Sept. 23, staging a significant rally before dropping a 49-41 decision. Since then the Bears have dropped a 33-20 decision at Kansas State before the blowout in Stillwater to fall to 0-3 in the Big 12.

“I know they’re hurting and beat up and mentally, struggling in terms of wondering why this is happening and why we’re going through this,” Rhule said. “I said to our players this is probably one of the toughest times of their lives. The last six regular season games last year didn’t go the way they wanted, but they found a way to win the bowl game. Then our new staff comes in and we’re asking them to do so many things that are different and harder, in school and study hall and football. And they’re doing all these things and they’re not getting the results that they want, so it’s natural to ask why.”