Texas and Oklahoma Join the SEC

It’s been three years in the making, and it just means more. Texas and Oklahoma officially join the SEC on July 1. A quick scan of social media shows what a big move this is for the two schools and the conference. The SEC Network devoted the weekend to showing highlights from the two schools, and there was a big party in Austin on Sunday night, with Greg Sankey and SEC Nation posting up for four hours to officially welcome the Longhorns to the SEC. Expectations and excitement are high for both Texas and Oklahoma’s entry. Let’s examine their initial schedules and one big question surrounding each team.

A new era of the SEC is here 👏@TexasLonghorns | @OU_Athletics pic.twitter.com/K3cAdDRVDA

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) June 30, 2024

Texas and Oklahoma Join the SEC

2024 Texas Football Schedule

Three thoughts: 

• BIG statement: Texas travels to Ann Arbor in Week 2 to take on the defending national champion Wolverines. While Michigan will have a new coach and a host of new players, Texas will have plenty of returners to make a big statement for the program and the conference.
• Red October: The Longhorns face Oklahoma and Georgia in back-to-back weeks in mid-October. Two wins and the Longhorns could find themselves atop the poles within an inside track to Atlanta in December.
• Give thanks: Kyle Field will be rocking on the final day of the regular season. The two teams have not played each other on the gridiron since November 24, 2011. No doubt, with all the fireworks surrounding the Aggies’ disdain for Texas joining the conference and the Longhorns taking their baseball coach last week, the game will be electric.

Everything Bigger in Texas?

Quinn Ewers gaslighted social media and message boards this week when asked his thoughts on Texas joining the conference. The third-year quarterback stated the Longhorns would be “everybody’s biggest game” on their schedules. The reaction, outrage, and pearl clutching, especially from media personalities in Athens and Tuscaloosa, give credence to Ewers’ comments. The media personalities at Fox and ESPN agree. Just three of the Longhorns’ games this season will kick off in the early window, including the Big Noon Kickoff.

Ain’t no party like a Texas party 🤘 pic.twitter.com/6z4LliERCR

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) June 30, 2024

2024 Oklahoma Football Schedule

Three thoughts: 

• Cupcakes: Oklahoma’s non-conference schedule leaves a lot to be desired. It is great to see an old Southwest Conference clash against Houston. But each of the three Division 1 teams in the OOC schedule will introduce a new coach in 2024. Maine is an FCS team that was 2-9 in 2023, with a paltry 2-9 record.
• Road rage: Oklahoma road schedule is the opposite of whatever a cupcake is. Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU are all four more challenging road environments for opponents.
• A challenging second half: Looking at Oklahoma’s first five games, the Sooners could have started the year with four or five wins. Their schedule is backloaded, with four of their seven games away from Norman and four of their last five teams likely vying for a spot in the College football playoff.

Boomer or Bust?

Last week, we discussed the questions surrounding Oklahoma’s decision to extend Head Coach Brent Venables. Oklahoma has had tremendous success in the previous 25 years and is amongst the elite in college football. The first two years under Venables have not met the standard in Norman. 2024 brings a new conference, and Venables will have two new coordinators and a new quarterback under center (well, in the shotgun, at least). If the Sooners are to have a late-season stumble, one has to wonder if Athletic Director Joe Castiglione might have jumped the gun on the extension.

It’s time to head southeast ☝️#OUxSEC pic.twitter.com/1VeaeOrvzu

— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) June 30, 2024

Texas and Oklahoma

Time will tell, but the storylines and excitement prepare us for kickoff in August. Welcome home, #HornsUp and #BoomerSooner.