SOONERS COULD WIN THEM ALL IN 2024…BUT THEY COULD LOSE 7 GAMES TOO…..
Sooner Nation, are you ready for the 2024 football season that will kick off on August 31? More importantly, how will you react to the program in Norman if the upcoming season in the SEC ends with five, six, or even seven losses by the end of the final game of the regular season against LSU in Baton Rouge? Sooner Nation’s reaction and acceptance of a Sooner team that could realistically end with a near even record, or actually a losing season, will be key to how Oklahoma goes into the 2025 slate of games, and in fact how the Big Red settles into the new conference with regard to future success in this tough endeavor. The Sooners will be in a possible survival mode in 2024, and a negative Sooner fan reaction could set OU back for the next ten years.
To understand the severity of the situation lets examine the 2024 schedule. It is daunting to say the least. OU could win as many as all the games they play in the regular season, and that might not seem realistic, but in fact some Sooner fans will expect that. Yes, they will. In truth, OU could finish 2024 anywhere from winning them all but could end up with as many as seven defeats. That is the worst case senecio, but not out of the realm of possibility. But this writing is not really a prediction on what the final record will be but a “what if” if the Sooners end the season with various records. Personally speaking, OU has games on the schedule that they should win. But, until they are played, nothing is final.
Take a look at this most difficult schedule. Sure, the Sooners have their so-called cupcakes. Week one through three should be wins. With Temple, Houston and Tulane all visiting Owen Field, the Sooners should start with a clean 3-0. These games will give the Sooner offense time to develop their new quarterback Jackson Arnold and his new offensive line. The defense should take care of business too, as both Houston and Tulane, with new coaching staffs, should fold like a cheap tent. OU’s successful start is a must and a loss in one of these game will indicate major issues for the 2024 Sooners.
In week 4, Tennessee comes to Norman with Josh Heupel’s good but not great team. The Vols will be OU’s first major challenge and having the game played on home grass, the Sooners could go for their 4th consecutive win. But it also could be a long day for OU if they slip up, which is quite possible. The Vols and Sooners are pretty much even in talent and both are looking for excellent seasons which this game is a must win for either. On paper, this one can go either way. Win or loss for OU, it will be decided on the field and there are not guarantees for either team..
A first road adventure awaits in Auburn as the Sooners play the War Eagle at a tough venue to pull out a win. In game five, talent wise, OU again meets their equal. Home field makes this game another win/lose proposition and if OU slips, not good. Auburn will be ready to show OU that road wins in the SEC are not given out unless you play in Nashville.
With a week off after Auburn, OU and Texas go at it in the Cotton Bowl. Texas should be favored but every Sooner and Horn fan knows that to predict the outcome is just made on feelings and what color glass lens you have for your eyes. OU wins or loses but either way, it will be a hell of a game. After this game, OU will have a good idea where the schedule is leading them. If OU can get five out of six, they will have shown that they can compete with the next teams, not that they will win them all. But if the Sooners drop games with Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas, it will be a very compelling final six games that Sooner Nations might not be ready for. And the bitching begins with a large portion of the “UGLY” Sooner Nation.
Game 7 has the Gamecocks coming to Norman and this will be a homecoming for South Carolina’s head coach, former OU assistant Shane Beamer. The Sooners should give USC everything they can handle and this game is another must win for Head Coach Brent Venables. A loss here and Venables will feel the heat and the media will be all over the Sooner program. Maybe the most important game of the year for OU “not to lose.” But again, playing in the SEC, this is not a gimmie for OU.
A trip to Ole Miss follows and OU plays another team they will be “dogs” as of pre-season predictions. The Rebels will be looking for national honors and they will need to beat OU at home for this to happen. If Coach Lane Kiffin gets a win at LSU the previous week before this game, they will host OU with a perfect record in all actuality. Their schedule in Oxford is not difficult coming into this contest and they could be a top four or five school at the time of the game. Ole Miss is a national contender and they will have much the better athletes coming come this Saturday. That does not mean they will beat OU but it does mean that they will test OU like no other team has up to this point. Ole Miss is in the league of Texas.
Coming home to play Maine after their trip to Ole Miss, the Sooners get another win without question. The win ends any games that OU will be a favorite as the final three with Missouri, Alabama, and LSU will be the deciding factor if Coach Venables take any heat with him into the 2025. All three games are winnable for the Sooners, depending upon the improvement of the team. With that said, these Tigers, Tide, and LSU Tigers will be losable games. Missouri on the road, Alabama at home, and LSU on the road……ok, you understand if you live in the real world. If you do not, and Sooner Nation has many that are not quite with reality, OU will be in a place that they have not been since the summer before Big Game Bob was hired.
Will Sooner Nation support a 5, 6 or 7 win regular season with Coach Venables? They should. I think the Athletic Director Joe Castiglione will. So will the school’s administration. But the fire under his seat will be intense and anything can happen.
I do think OU is on the right tract with their move to the SEC, but it will take four or five recruiting classes for this coaching staff to make a significant run at the SEC title and National honors. It will not be easy but OU is what it is. A blue blooded winner in football. With that, losing is not tolerated and Coach Venables knows that. Sooner Nation, do not run off this coach if you know what is good for you. Bad things can happen to impatient people.
