OU in the SEC preview: South Carolina the 'other' homecoming
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 Gamecock Central’s Wes Mitchell.
South Carolina at OU – Oct. 19
The week after the Red River Rivalry, emotional letdown at its finest. And when everybody talks the OU schedule, they act as if the Gamecocks are an automatic win.
How dangerous does that make this Saturday?
The attention is about Josh Heupel returning to Norman, but hey, here comes Shane Beamer as well. Beamer didn’t have a long coaching stint at OU, but he was very popular with players and fans alike.
This begins the second half of the season, and it is imperative for OU to show a bunch of things. It needs to handle success or bounce back from adversity. And it needs to show it is ready for the long haul.
OU needs to not be beaten down and show it will still be a factor the rest of the way.
Head coach Shane Beamer at SEC media days
“Our culture is strong. It’s great hearing from other players when they transfer in from other schools, when they talk about our football program when they get here as a transfer as well.
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“And then I realized that the climb isn’t always smooth. I wish it was like this straight to the top. There will be bumps in the road. Our players hear me say it all the time. You can’t have growth without some discomfort.
“Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Steelers, who I think the world of and consider a great friend, he has stated that you can’t have your feet in both buckets. You can’t have your feet in a comfort bucket and a growth bucket. Doesn’t work that way.
“You’ve got to be uncomfortable in order to grow. We certainly had some uncomfortable moments last year as a team, but we also showed throughout the season how strong our culture is.
“We grew from those uncomfortable moments last year as well. It’s truly year to year. The narrative about our program in 2024 is completely different than what it was in 2023.”
