Editor's Note: Jim Ross of course is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, owner of J.R.’s Family BBQ, but a life long Sooner fan who has written three best selling books and has appeared weekly on national TV for over 25 years.
The Sunday after attending the OU-A&M game down in College Station, I flew from Chicago O’Hare to Manchester, England for the WWE to tape two broadcasts of Friday Night Smackdown. Before leaving Norman, I bought every, different Sunday newspaper I could buy and I purposely did not break into my reading stash until I boarded my 8 hour or so flight.
Unfortunately, the gentleman who was sitting next to me wanted to talk….and talk…and talk…specifically about the OU-Tech game. This fellow wasn’t a fan of either school but a sports fan that, like many of us, couldn’t wait for the spectacle in which this Saturday night’s Big 12 South contest has involved.
I guess it was my Sooner attire and black hat that gave me away but we had a lengthy visit which culminated in my prediction that OU would beat the Red Raiders in Norman. That was one day after the win over the Texas A&M Aggies on the road and my feelings haven’t changed.
Oklahoma 35 Tech 31.
Last week I happened to do two radio interviews, on with KOKC in OKC with James Hale and Jimbo Elrod, which I do every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and another national interview. Ironically, the discussion came around to the Sooners’ home field advantage and Coach Stoops’ home record of only 2 losses in Norman since arriving here in 1999. I mentioned on both those broadcasts that I felt like the Sooner faithful attending the games at Memorial Stadium could be more emotionally invested during the games and therefore become a greater asset to the team.
Bob Stoops eluded to the same thing this week with the local media and some people have, in my view, misinterpreted Coach Stoops’ sentiments. From my perspective, the coach wasn’t knocking our fans whatsoever because selling out every game at home is a magnificent accomplishment not to mention the support of the donors who contribute to the football program especially since Bob arrived in 10 years ago.
Bob’s point seemed to be simple, the stadium can be louder and it needs to be this Saturday night. Case closed.
I have been fortunate enough to attend every Sooner game this season, at home and away. I am blessed that this has been the case for the past several years. Now, having said that, the atmosphere at some stadiums is louder than we hear in Norman and some schools have more sustained emotion that we often times see at our home games. However, one also doesn’t have to be a Mensa member to understand when the visiting teams are getting blown out that it is challenging to make noise because “the hay is in the barn.”
It’s an interesting conundrum isn’t it? What’s the solution? Perhaps there are many but none can replicate the noise we all need to make for 4 quarters for our Sooners against the #2 ranked team in the nation. For example, in the Cotton Bowl every October it seems as if no one sits. Yes, it’s inconvenient to some fans in attendance but it also lends to the sense of urgency of the fabled rivalry and what is usually at stake. Perhaps OU fans Saturday night might want to sit less, stand more, and turn the volume up especially while Tech is on offense.
Being fortunate enough to watch many Sooner games from the sideline, I can tell you unequivocally that Oklahoma football players genuinely feed off the crowd’s energy. Even in raucous atmospheres on the road like K-State, A&M, and OSU, Sooner athletes get their adrenaline pumping while essentially portraying the visiting “villains.”
I know for a fact that the Sooners used the unique environment in College Station as a motivating factor during the game against Texas A&M.
Saturday night in Norman should be one for the ages in both in what’s at stake for our team and the atmosphere emanated from Norman that will be seen across our nation on ABC. The team will be ready to play and let’s hope that every one in attendance will be ready as well.
This old cliché may be applicable, “If it it’s too loud then perhaps you’re too old.”
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
- I hope Lee Corso picks Tech to win the game Saturday morning on ESPN’s Game Day.
- Doesn’t the Sooners -7 equate to the Sooners -4 if the game were in Lubbock? Or am I missing something?
- Sources tell me that Tech did not sell their allotment of tickets. Don’t sell them yours via a ticket broker.
- OU has worked diligently on special teams and their play will be a key to Saturday night’s contest.
- Kicker Jimmy Stevens looks awesome in practice. Yeah, I know that some are likely thinking ala the NBA’s Allen Iverson, “Practice?”
- DE’s Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander add an explosive element off the edge that injured Auston English has been unable to generate this season do to injuries and illness. Saturday night as a huge opportunity for the two, young, starting defensive ends. Remember, speed can be the great equalizer and can’t be coached.
- Harassing QB Graham Harrell is imperative but stopping Tech’s running game is just as important. Tech’s running game being effective keeps OU’s offense standing on the west side of Owen Field.
- The term “tackling in space” has been worn out this week. Simply put the Sooners must assault people while wrapping them up and not allow significant yards after a catch.
- With all the glitz and glamour earned by the two high powered offenses we will see Saturday night, one could make an argument that whoever controls the line of scrimmage will win the game. It might be reminiscent of a heavyweight fight as to who lands the most shots and who can withstand the shots they receive.
- Speaking of the line of scrimmage, Oklahoma being able to successfully run the football can’t be emphasized enough in this showdown. Smashmouth, Slobber-Knocking offensive line play is what I will be focusing on the most during this game.
- Never under estimate the basic fundamental football acumen, turnovers will beat you. Giving Tech’s offense additional chances to come on the field and score could be fatal.
- Non contact penalties and senseless dead ball penalties need not exist.
- This time of the year all any team can hope for is to control their own destiny. The Sooners have that opportunity looking them square in the eyes.
- One last thing about raising the noise level in Memorial Stadium Saturday night…..in doing so it doesn’t mean Sooner fans have to take the low road and become classless and crass. Remember, that there’s still only “One Oklahoma.”
I want to personally invite Sooner fans to join us at either of our J.R.’s Family BBQ Restaurants this weekend as we open at 11 a.m. daily and can handle any catering or tail gating needs for this weekend’s festivities. Our website is www.jrsbarbq.com for more info and our stores are located in Norman on the east side of I-35 and Main (exit 109) and in Moore on the west side of I-35 at the 19th Street exit (exit 116) just south of the Warren Theatre. Come see us before the game, call ahead for “To Go” orders or let us handle your tail gating needs. We will also have our BBQ Trailer located just south of McCaslin Fieldhouse in the middle of FanFest all afternoon on Saturday. We will be serving our famous, pulled pork sandwiches (slow smoked for 12 hours) and our hearty and delicious chopped brisket sandwiches. S
ooner Magic Lives…..Boomer Sooner!
J.R.
