Will ESPN Gameday Be In Norman For Week 4?

[SpringBokVol]

Vols will be so hyped up by then we better stay focused.

 

[Tin Man]

Have you checked the lower division match-ups? After all, this is ESPN we’re posting about…

 

[superdave1984]

I just hope if espn does pick this game that Heupel is able to calm the circus and keep everyone focused. It will be crazy.

 

[saxvol]

The only other maybe game besides Mish-USC is 12 Utah vs. 13 OK st. It just feels like it has to be Norman.

 

[ntxVOL]

If OU loses to Tulane, all bets are off I think.

 

[DonDiego]

I'd rather they go to Knoxville for the Vol--Alabubba game.

 

[Voltopia]

Always remember the trailer park frenzy in Tennessee tonight comment by fowler

Yep. He knew what he said. And ESPN knew what they did. They hyped and sold Woodson all year leading into the Ohio State-Michigan game, and made damn sure everyone saw Woodson's highlights every chance they got. Their narrative was "Woodson is going to catch Peyton Manning in the voting," and they pushed it until it came true.

Hell, 1997 wasn't even enough for them. ESPN made sure to rub some salt in over the years that followed. That Gameday Commercial that showed Lee Corso with the hefty woman who chased a pig named "Rocky Top" out of the elevator - while an old man sat there with his IV bag and two college kids in overalls made out behind him - was a real olive branch, let me tell you. Funny how we never saw such flattering commercials about Ohio State or Notre Dame or USC or (whoever).

I don't lean much into the "ESPN is root of all evil" stuff, but Bristol had a clear attitude about UT for many years after the Heistman.

 

[rocketvol]

The only other maybe game besides Mish-USC is 12 Utah vs. 13 OK st. It just feels like it has to be Norman.

This. If OU loses to Tulane, they will go to Utah vs Ok St. If OU wins, it's guaranteed they come to our game.

 

[bpalmer28]

I think the story of Huepel going back to Oklahoma will be what gets Gameday there

Not the fact that we are national title contenders in Nico’s first road start? Or the fact that it’s Oklahoma’s first SEC game?

Huge game regardless of CJH’s history!!!

 

[bpalmer28]

Can we sign a petition for Heupel to declare “THIS IS MY HOUSE” from midfield after we beat them by 30?

 

[kobecraigevans15]

The only other decent matchup is #11 USC at #17 Michigan, and they were just there to watch Texas blow them out. It seems like a no-brainer to me. A great matchup with a great storyline. What more could they ask for?

I'd like to think so, as long as they don't lose to Tulane

 

[Nerwen Aldarion]

Not the fact that we are national title contenders in Nico’s first road start? Or the fact that it’s Oklahoma’s first SEC game?

Huge game regardless of CJH’s history!!!

Yeah it’s a big game, but less so if Oklahoma loses tomorrow.

But I honestly think the story is far more important to them

 

[YankeeVol]

Can we sign a petition for Heupel to declare “THIS IS MY HOUSE” from midfield after we beat them by 30?

Plant the Power T flag at midfield a la Baker lol

 

[adam.vol]

They didn't own the SEC back then. They do now. It's their product. Just like Woodson and Ohio State/Michigan was in 1997.
Little remembered in all the fuss is this bit of trivia - ESPN signed a ten year exclusivity deal with the Big 10 the summer before the 1997 season, meaning it was in their best interests to build stories for their product. What better story could there have been then plucky two-way player Charles Woodson (who played for a conference ESPN had exclusive rights too) overtaking the golden child of the SEC in the Heisman campaign?

Point being, you're right about the fact it would be the first time, but now that ESPN owns the SEC, I think they'll be more interested in pushing Tennessee's guy.

I agree that our partnership with ESPN gives those guys good reason to support an SEC player for heisman. Can you please stop saying we’re owned by the media? We’re a product in high demand and they simply agreed to pay the most for it. It’s up to the SEC conference on how much influence they allow from their broadcast partners. If ABC doesn’t like us, there’s always Fox or NBC.

 

[adam.vol]

Can we sign a petition for Heupel to declare “THIS IS MY HOUSE” from midfield after we beat them by 30?

“Stand on my foot up your ass”
- Josh Heupel

 

[OH-Vol]

Oklahoma also raided our roster following the Pruitt debacle and Butch Jones choked the game away with a better team in the last matchup. I hope we smash these guys next week!

 

[lastlapuncle]

They will be at Ann-Arbor because the little twelve is the only conference that counts to the spurtswriters.

 

[knoxvol52]

They will be at Ann-Arbor because the little twelve is the only conference that counts to the spurtswriters.

There it is, the media hates us and the SEC spiel.

 

[Swiftybaby]

Yeah I’d be shocked if they weren’t. Best matchup per the rankings (assuming OU wins). Oklahoma’s first SEC game. Heupel’s return to Norman. Like you said, seems like a no-brainer.

It seems a no brainer but it’s in Columbia this weekend. What the the hell. The birds fly upside down over that town

 

[chuckiepoo]

Will be interesting to see how that’s handled

Way #1: Fun trip back “home” for man who played at high level and coached there. Lots of friends there. Trying to downplay that storyline and just make it about game and current players.

Way #2: Heupel coming back to place where he was once a hero but later fired. That was a bad divorce and Heupel has hated the OU Administration ever since. He would love nothing more than to crush the Sooners as revenge.

…both.

 

[Enigmatic_Vol]

The only other decent matchup is #11 USC at #17 Michigan, and they were just there to watch Texas blow them out. It seems like a no-brainer to me. A great matchup with a great storyline. What more could they ask for?

Who cares? I don't watch it anymore. TIred of their BS. I watch Big Noon Kickoff and think it's superior.

 

[wmcovol]

I'd rather they go to Knoxville for the Vol--Alabubba game.

They’ll be in Austin Texas that day. Guaranteed

 

[Orange931]

Oklahoma will not lose to Tulane. Definitely expect Gameday next weekend.

 

[Hulavol]

Oklahoma will not lose to Tulane. Definitely expect Gameday next weekend.

I wouldn’t be too sure about this …. Tulane looks better than OU. By a good bit.

 

[Volfan1000]

View attachment 676204
Tennessee vs Oklahoma and the return of Josh Heupel are both big draws, but I think the real draw will be the growing buzz around Iamaleava. This game represents ESPN's first real chance to strap a rocket on the Nico marketing campaign. ESPN isn't going to pass that up. No way, no how. They comin'.

Which, don't get me wrong. I hope viewers come for the Nico, but stay for the Dylan Sampson Express and that killer Tennessee Defensive Experience. I'm just saying that the network will want to start gassing up their Nico commentary.

This should be the BEST game next weekend and Gameday should be in the house at Norman.