The Oklahoma Sooners will embark on their inaugural season in the SEC this autumn, having announced their departure from the Big 12 conference in February 2023, effective at the end of the 2023-24 season. This move marks a significant shift for the team, placing them in the highly competitive SEC, renowned for producing 43 national champions and dominating the college football landscape, with six out of the ten winners in the recent college football playoff era hailing from this conference. Here’s a look at their schedule:
Week 1 vs. Temple – August 30, 2024
After wrapping up a 10-3 overall record and 7-2 conference record in their final season in the Big 12, the Sooners are eager to make an impact as they transition to the SEC. Their first game kicks off on Friday, Aug. 30, facing the Temple Owls in a non-conference matchup at Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. The Owls, who ended last season with a 3-9 overall record and 1-7 conference record in the American, will be their first challenge.
Weeks 2 and 3 vs. Houston and Tulane – Sept. 7, 2024 and Sept. 14, 2024
Before kicking off its first games in SEC competition, Oklahoma has two additional non-conference matchups after facing Temple. The Houston Cougars, with a 4-8 record last season, will visit the Sooners on September 7th, followed by Tulane, who finished last year with an 11-3 record, visiting the following week.
Week 4 vs. Tennessee – Sept. 21, 2024
After the initial three weeks, the Sooners will welcome their inaugural SEC opponent, the Tennessee Volunteers, on September 21st. The Vols feature Nico Iamaleava, a former five-star quarterback, slated to replace Joe Milton III, the previous starting quarterback who was recently drafted by the New England Patriots in the NFL Draft.
Iamaleava gained experience in the waning moments of four games for the Vols, attempting 26 passes, completing 16, and securing one touchdown. Milton III was absent from the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa, allowing Iamaleava to step in. In that match-up, the Long Beach, Calif. native went 12 for 19, throwing for 151 yards, and completing one touchdown pass. The Vols triumphed with a score of 35-0, concluding the season with a 9-4 record.
Week 5 at Auburn – Sept. 28, 2024
Next Saturday, Oklahoma embarks on their inaugural away game as they journey to Auburn to face off against the Tigers, who concluded last season with a 6-7 overall record. This year, the Tigers welcome back Payton Thorne, their 6’2″ quarterback who delivered 16 touchdown passes and ten interceptions in the previous season.
Additionally, Auburn introduces three fresh faces to their receiving corps as they step into the fray: Cam Coleman, a freshman, along with KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a transfer from Penn State, and Robert Lewis, who transferred from Georgia State. All three are anticipated to make significant contributions on the offensive front.
Week 6 (Bye week)
Week 7 at Texas – Oct. 12, 2024
After their bye week, Oklahoma will head to Texas to face the Texas Longhorns at a neutral venue. The Longhorns, who are transitioning to the SEC this year, reached the college football playoffs as the third seed last season but fell to Washington in the semi-finals with a score of 37-31.
At quarterback, the Longhorns have stability with Quinn Ewers, a former five-star recruit, returning for his junior year. Ewers, hailing from Southlake, Texas, threw for 3,479 yards and connected on 22 touchdown passes last season.
Similar to Auburn, the Longhorns have bolstered their wide receiver corps with new additions. Silas Bolden from Oregon State, Matthew Golden from Houston, and Isaiah Bond from Alabama are anticipated to make significant contributions in burnt orange this upcoming season.
Week 8 vs. South Carolina – Oct. 19, 2024
On October 19th, the South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Oklahoma, with redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers taking the lead. Sellers served as backup to Spencer Rattler last season, who was recently drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Sellers had limited chances in three games last season, achieving a 4-4 record and gaining 51 rushing yards with one touchdown. The Gamecocks concluded last year with a 5-7 overall record, going 3-5 in their conference.
Week 9 at Ole Miss – Oct. 26, 2024
After striving to overcome Sellers and the Cocks, the Sooners proceed eastward to Oxford, Mississippi, to contend with Ole Miss. The Rebels pose a formidable challenge for Oklahoma, boasting the return of key offensive talents like quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins.
Harris, who topped Ole Miss in receiving yards last season with 985, also secured eight touchdown receptions. Watkins, previously with Louisville, amassed 741 receiving yards and three touchdowns. With a record of 11-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play last season, Ole Miss triumphed over Penn State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, securing a 38-25 victory.
Week 10 vs. Maine – Nov. 2, 2024
The next challenger to enter Sooner territory is the Maine Black Bears. Competing in the CAA conference, Maine concluded last season with a record of 2-9 overall and 1-7 in conference play. Considered one of the less formidable opponents on Oklahoma’s schedule, the Black Bears present a less daunting challenge for the Sooners.
Week 11 vs. Missouri – Nov. 9, 2024
Following what ought to be an effortless match against Maine, Oklahoma will then welcome the Missouri Tigers, who had an outstanding performance in their previous season. The Tigers, who boasted an impressive 11-2 record overall and 6-2 in their conference last year, secured a notable victory against No. 7 Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a score of 14-3.
Missouri’s quarterback, Brady Cook, is set to return after a remarkable season in 2023. Cook showcased his skills by throwing 21 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, accumulating a total of 3,317 passing yards. In the game against Ohio State, the native of St. Louis, Missouri, completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 128 yards, along with one touchdown pass.
Week 12 (Bye Week)
Week 13 vs. Alabama – Nov. 23, 2024
The penultimate match for the Sooners this season commences on November 23rd at Memorial Stadium against the newly coached Alabama Crimson Tide. Following the retirement of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide enlisted the services of former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer steered the Washington Huskies to last season’s National Championship, cruising through the regular season undefeated. At the helm for Alabama is returning quarterback Jalen Milroe, a 6-foot, 2-inch agile player hailing from Katy, Texas. Milroe carried the ball 161 times last season, accumulating a total rushing yardage of 531, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
Alabama secured a spot in the 2023 College Football Playoff as the No. 4 seed, only to be edged out by the No. 1 seeded Michigan Wolverines in overtime, with a final score of 27-20, who eventually claimed the national title.
Week 14 at LSU – Nov. 30, 2024
To cap off their debut SEC campaign, the Sooners will face off against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 30th. With LSU adjusting to the absence of their former Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, now drafted to the Washington Commanders, Garrett Nussmeier, a 6’2″ quarterback from Lake Charles, LA, steps into the spotlight to lead the Tigers’ offense. Having gained valuable experience as a backup, Nussmeier’s collegiate career saw him complete 29 passes in 2021, 52 passes in 2022, and 48 passes in 2023. The Sooners aim to finish their maiden SEC regular season on a high note.
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