Lincoln – The Nebraska football team held its final practice leading up to Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game matchup with Oklahoma Thursday afternoon inside a frigid Memorial Stadium. Temperatures dropped near the low 20’s as the sun set on the Huskers’ two-hour workout, conditions very similar to what is expected in Kansas City on Saturday night.

Head Coach Callahan told the post-practice media gathering that it was important for NU to get acclimated to the chilly weather the team is expecting to face this weekend.

“It’s a good thing,” Callahan said. “We’ll be in the same type of atmosphere on Saturday night.

“It was fun. We got a lot of things accomplished, and it’s important to get out and practice in this type of weather.”

Callahan said that despite the cold weather conditions expected on Saturday, Nebraska’s game plan will not be affected.

“I don’t really think that’s a problem,” Callahan said. “You should be able to execute everything. I know in pro ball you prepare for everything and call it. It’s not a hesitation whatsoever.”

Nebraska will be facing its third top-10 opponent of the season in Oklahoma, marking the first time since 1995 that the Huskers have faced three squads ranked among the AP’s top 10 prior to their bowl game. Callahan said that playing top teams such as OU, USC and Texas have helped build confidence for his squad.

“I think getting accustomed to the top level of competition is very important,” Callahan said. “I know that we have derived a lot of confidence from those games, even though we didn’t win. I know coming out of the Texas game, our team was more confident knowing that it messed up and went toe-to-toe with the defending national champion. It was the same thing with (USC). It was no different against Michigan (during last year’s Alamo Bowl), and it will be no different against Oklahoma.

Nebraska departs for Kansas City on Friday morning.