The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BULLDOGS
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "OU officials" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ou officials = bulldogs.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BULLDOGS mean?
BULLDOGS noun- A breed of dog developed in England by the crossing of the bullbaiting dog and the Pug to produce a ladies companion dog. Having a very smooth coat, a flattened face, wrinkly cheeks, powerful front legs and smaller hind legs.
- British bulldog
- A stubborn person.
- A refractory material used as a furnace lining, obtained by calcining the cinder or slag from the puddling furnace of a rolling mill.
- (Oxford University slang) One of the proctors' officers.
- (pro wrestling) Any move in which the wrestler grabs an opponent's head and jumps forward, so that the wrestler lands, often in a sitting position, and drives the opponent's face into the mat.
- A bulldog edition.