Oklahoma Replaces SMU With Arizona

The University of Oklahoma football team will play the University of Arizona in 1988 and 1989, replacing games with Southern Methodist University, officials said.

Arizona, a member of the Pacific 10 Conference, had a 9-3 record last year, including a victory over Rose Bowl champion Arizona State, and beat North Carolina in the Aloha Bowl.

SMU was forced to give up football this year because of NCAA sanctions, and the university decided to drop its football program in 1988 as well.

Duncan said he did not think the Mustangs could have a representative team in 1989 either.

“Arizona is a quality team. They’ve beat Arizona State five years in a row. That’s going to give us a very demanding schedule, especially in 1988,” he said.