Opening with OU

[midnight orange]

We may need to recalibrate what win total is considered a good season. And by “we” I mean every team in the SEC.

 

[njvols]

Good thing is that every SEC team's schedule is brutal now

Yeah, I didn't want to give up Bama, so the fact everyone's got a more difficult slate feels more fair. UGA/Bama every year for us wasn't ideal which, other than Auburn, no one else had that. You never know who ends up being next year's Missouri, but briefly glancing at, looks like TX and LSU may have the easiest slate of upper tier teams. Think now football may be more like SEC BB...there's going to be more losses, and probably tough to rationalize that a 3 SEC loss season is a good year.

 

[Milehigh_Vol]

My grandfather was a huge OU booster. Half my family went there and the other half UT, I love having this match up.

 

[njvols]

OU and Texas in the SEC just makes no damn sense and I absolutely hate it.

I don't like it, but am ok if it means getting rid of east/west divisions. Never liked that in the least bit. I could definitely see years when SEC champ has 2 losses. Plus, the SEC tilt, every week will have some really interesting matchups.

 

[njvols]

My grandfather was a huge OU booster. Half my family went there and the other half UT, I love having this match up.

When we had the OU home/away a few years ago, there seemed to be mutual fan passion and respect...though Butch choked the one in Knoxville. To me, OK seems more SEC vibe than TX...though the "battle of UT's or battle of the orange" will get a ton of exposure.

 

[b_gann]

The SEC is putting us in Norman to open ‘24

Could be a good thing for us given they are losing Lebby. Might be adjusting to a new OC and taking a step back.

 

[aRmo]

Vols will be ready. Both teams should be breaking in 5 star QBs, and ours will be better. WGWTFA.

They will still be breaking in a new Offensive Coordinator aswell.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

The SEC is putting us in Norman to open ‘24

Love it. Let’s welcome the Sooners in style, one top 10 program to another, and get a big dub in Norman. Justice for coach Heup! Revenge for 2015!

 

[Milehigh_Vol]

When we had the OU home/away a few years ago, there seemed to be mutual fan passion and respect...though Butch choked the one in Knoxville. To me, OK seems more SEC vibe than TX...though the "battle of UT's or battle of the orange" will get a ton of exposure.

Yeah, I went to both games with my last uncle. It was a blast.

 

[Other_Guy]

Oklahoma just went 10-2. Tenn will be trotting out a brand new, young QB and potential losing a slew of starters. And yall already chalking this up as a win. Is OU losing a ton?
Tenn is always being a "first" or record for other teams. I think they were Missouri's 1st SEC win? Of course they put Tenn as the 1st game for OU.
It's going to really suck if OU wins their 1st ever SEC game and Tenn is 0-1 and supposed to be "back". I really hope Josh has this team improved.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

They also fired him when he was OC there. I’d bet he’d like the chance to take his offense and show them something too.

Show whom? The guy that fired him hasn't been there for years. Who is "they"?

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Show whom? The guy that fired him hasn't been there for years. Who is "they"?

No idea but there was talk of bad blood just prior to last year when Oklahoma was looking for a new coach and Heupel's name came up. Maybe Stoops still has some involvement behind the scenes? Boosters and/or admin, media? Even if none of that factors in anymore I would think he'd still have a bit of a chip on his shoulder. But maybe it's nothing and he'll have no added motivation in the game.

 

[DarkVolder]

Oklahoma just went 10-2. Tenn will be trotting out a brand new, young QB and potential losing a slew of starters. And yall already chalking this up as a win. Is OU losing a ton?
Tenn is always being a "first" or record for other teams. I think they were Missouri's 1st SEC win? Of course they put Tenn as the 1st game for OU.
It's going to really suck if OU wins their 1st ever SEC game and Tenn is 0-1 and supposed to be "back". I really hope Josh has this team improved.

OU will also have a top 5 recruiting class coming in I believe

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Unfortunately Tim Banks and Willie will still be on the staff. I can see another 8-4 season next year our schedule is brutal folks.

8-4 doesn’t bother me. 7-5 or worse would have everyone in “short-list” mode.

 

[RAVOL]

I do like this match up new Cordinator on offense new Qb as well. I'm not sure how many other players they are losing but looking forward to this game. SEC is a gauntlet moving forward and each year will be different but initially I like our first new look SEC schedule. Like most teams key Portal players may make the difference. In CHRIST Alone

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

No idea but there was talk of bad blood just prior to last year when Oklahoma was looking for a new coach and Heupel's name came up. Maybe Stoops still has some involvement behind the scenes? Boosters and/or admin, media? Even if none of that factors in anymore I would think he'd still have a bit of a chip on his shoulder. But maybe it's nothing and he'll have no added motivation in the game.

No, I think there might be some motivation, but so would think it would be more attributed to the fact he played at a high level there

 

[EasternVol]

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That OOC schedule looks more like Bama's or Georgia's usual cupcake diet.

 

[Go47]

Talent and depth wise . . . Oklahoma is in better shape than UT right now . . .

UT will not be favored in that game for a reason - Oklahoma will have the edge in overall talent (unless UT does a lot in the transfer portal).

Unfortunately, of out Oklahoma / Bama / UF / and UGA - the best chance to win in terms of talent might be against UF. But we all know how that game goes usually . . .

 

[ftsandersvol]

We ain't got much of a defense either

Agreed. I was merely pointing out that Nico could put up some big numbers.

 

[Raebo]

Just put the big boy pants on and welcome them and their fans to the SEC.

 

[sonofUT62]

They came to Neyland in 2015.

And we went to Norman the year before.

 

[KeyVol14]

We ain't got much of a defense either

Injuries played a role in the drop off back half of season

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

Does Oklahoma have that qb coming back or is he gone after this season

If Gabriel is gone they have Jackson Arnold in the wings assuming he doesn't transfer out with Lebby leaving. Gabriel can come back next season though.

Arnold is a shorter version of Nico with huge upside.

 

[Vols All Day]

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The schedule looks so weird with so many western teams on it. Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi State.

 

[adam.vol]

The conference interlopers should be the ones who have to open on the road

This is what happens when you allow Bama to house the SEC commissioner.

How about whoever finishes last in the SEC each football season gets to become HQ for the SEC for the next year? You know, move the damn office to Nashville permanently.