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OU in the SEC preview: Auburn a sneaky initial road test

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo07/26/24BPrzybylo

The initial OU season in the Southeastern Conference is here. Are the Sooners ready for the SEC? Is the SEC ready for OU?

Football is just around the corner, and it’s time to see what head coach Brent Venables can do in year No. 3 in Norman.

But who are the opponents? SoonerScoop caught up with a beat writer at each of the eight SEC opponents for the 2024 season.

The series continues with AuburnLive’s Justin Hokanson.

OU at Auburn – Sept. 28

A sneaky answer at SEC media days was about playing at Auburn. Almost everybody mentioned, um, it’s not all that easy.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck went as far to say it’s cursed. It might not be the game OU fans have circled on their calendar, but it’s a fantastic initial road test.

A lot of people are looking toward November and the finish. But if OU cannot take care of business in September and show it belongs? November will not have the same type of impact.

Getting a win at Auburn would send a nice, early statement about handling a hostile environment.

Head coach Hugh Freeze at SEC media days

“There’s a great excitement in our building right now. I think it’s a combination of things. One, I think our players sense that there is a chemistry among our staff that’s pretty special right now, I feel, that provides a confidence and an energy to our players and the way they go about chasing the standards that we’ve set for each other.

“Secondly, I think we’ve upgraded our roster. Now a lot of that roster is young kids. Certainly can’t predict exactly how they’ll adapt to playing in this difficult conference.

But I do think those are the two reasons, along with getting back in January, a group of young men that were elected to the Culture Council decided that these are the standards.

I’ve had to change some. I’ve had to learn to listen more, that I don’t have all the answers, and maybe our players are on to a few things that can help me be a better coach.”

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