NORMAN — Bob Stoops warned Tuesday that the OU-Texas series could end if the Sooners and Longhorns end up in different conferences.

But was he bluffing?

Stoops was asked during his weekly press conference if he would want to keep the rivalry with Texas going as a nonconference game.

“I don't think it's necessary,” Stoops said. “No one wants to hear that. But life changes. If it changes, you have to change with it to whatever degree.

“If it works, great. I love the game. But if it doesn't, it doesn't. Sometimes that's the way it goes.”

But later, in a private conversation, Stoops was asked if he was playing politics with the Longhorns, who reportedly are waffling over whether to join the Sooners in the Pac-12 Conference should Texas A&M leave the Big 12, as expected.

Stoops grinned and said, “Maybe. Playing cards.”

Stoops said he had little desire to play Texas in a nonconference game along with the litany of traditional powers scheduled to play OU the next decade: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU.

But Stoops agreed that OU likely would seek to get out of those contracts before ending the Texas series.

And while Stoops said such decisions should be made above the athletic level, he admitted that OU-Texas in Dallas every October is a huge benefit for both institutions in non-football ways.

Fundraising. General student recruiting. OU’s profile in the state of Texas.

OU president David Boren gave a quick statement when informed of Stoops’ comments: “We value our relationship with Texas and the rivalry.”

Stoops pointed out that OU-Nebraska once was among the nation’s most storied rivalries, but the series wasn’t played annually after the formation of the Big 12 and now isn’t played at all, since the Huskers left for the Big Ten.

“A lot of things change,” Stoops said. “All of a sudden we weren't playing Nebraska every year. And now they're gone. We're still here. Life goes on.

“People find other rivalries and other fun places to go, enjoy the game, enjoy the experience. I think it's obvious we'll always have a great product that's exciting to follow. And we always have great TV audiences. Whatever happens, we'll adjust to it.”

But OU-Nebraska, even in its heyday, was only about football and championships. OU-Texas is about much, much more.

“I wasn’t there to hear Bob’s comment,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “but it’s certainly obvious that many people place great value on our rivalry with Texas.”