The OU Spring Game was a fun time. Baker Mayfield’s Heisman statue was revealed. Some recruits saw Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium filled with Sooners Nation, and the fan base gained some much-needed closure from the Lincoln Riley departure.
During his halftime speech, Brent Venables said a lot of things. However, during that speech, he challenged Sooners fans: Make this stadium a nightmare for opposing teams.
After the massive success that was the “Pack the Palace” campaign, it was the logical next step. Let’s be honest here, Sooners home games aren’t nearly as electric as they need to be for an SEC school.
This isn’t an indictment on the OU fan base as a whole or on social media. Sooners fans have assembled an amazing group of fans that are a pleasure to interact with daily. The Oklahoma fa base is one of the best in the country. However, it just doesn’t translate on Saturdays.
Look at an Alabama home game. Look at Georgia. LSU’s home environment is one of the best in the country. Look at Texas A&M. Aggies fans rock Kyle Field during games against Northwestern State. Oklahoma fans need to start showing the same passion for their team.
There was more hostility directed at Spencer Rattler than at any visiting team in the 2021 season. 2019 and 2020 weren’t much better. The student section routinely empties after halftime. It’s not a good look.
There was a feeling of complacency that hung over the football program and the fan base in the last few years of Lincoln Riley’s tenure. There were a few outside factors, but it felt as if the program lost sight of what the goal is.
The Sooners aren’t here to win Big 12 championships; they’re here to win national championships. The Venables hire showed athletic director Joe Castiglione knew the Sooners needed a jolt of energy as much as a culture change if they wanted to get back to competing on the national stage.
We will know by the end of the UTEP game if Venables’ charisma was enough to give this fan base the kick in the pants it needed. Make the palace a nightmare again, Sooners fans. Let’s show the SEC that we’re more than ready for it.
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