Oklahoma AD urges fans to show up early for CFP first-round game, promises surprises
By David Wasson
Published:
One of the great components of the 12-team College Football Playoff every year is that first-round games are played at the traditional home stadiums of the better-seeded teams. That means that 8-seed Oklahoma, making its fifth CFP appearance, welcomes 9-seed Alabama to Norman on Friday night (8 pm ET, ABC/ESPN).
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a call to Sooners fans on Thursday via the school’s social media, urging them to arrive at Memorial Stadium on Friday with plenty of time to spare.
“It will be a scene (Friday) night, and we need to have our fans show up early,” Castiglione said. “We’d love to have them in their seats about 45 minutes before kick, because there is a lot – we are going to keep some of it a surprise – but there is a lot we are going to unfold.
“We need them there to be able to set the tone early, because this is a great one for our Sooners as we welcome one of the other bluest of the blue bloods – the Alabama Crimson Tide.”
Oklahoma (10-2) has won 7 national championships, the last coming in 2000, while Alabama claims 18 national crowns. The Sooners previously earned CFP berths in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The Crimson Tide will be making their ninth CFP appearance Friday night – and their first since 2023.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
