Tim Tebow reacts to Oklahoma’s ‘gauntlet’ 2024 schedule for inaugural season in SEC
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Tim Tebow was among those to react to the SEC’s schedule announcement earlier this week. In particular, Tebow believes Oklahoma was dealt a “gauntlet” from the SEC for the Sooners’ first season in the league.
While the SEC is sticking with an 8-game league schedule, Oklahoma will face Texas as the 2 programs transition into the SEC. The Sooners must also face Alabama at home, LSU on the road and Tennessee at home as a part of the 2024 schedule.
“I gotta tell you, Peter. Dang, the SEC gave Oklahoma a gauntlet in 2024,” said Tebow. “Like let’s talk about it: They’ve gotta play Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss and Mizzou. What a gauntlet Year 1. That’s like giving someone a hug and a spanking at the same time.”
Tebow went on to explain he does believe the “OU brand” will be just fine in the SEC but there’s no getting around the tall task the Sooners will face in their inaugural SEC season.
“They’ve had a lot of fantastic teams, been in a lot of big games. This OU brand is going to do great in the SEC but boy I tell you what, they have a gauntlet,” Tebow explained. “Texas has a hard schedule but you look at that OU schedule. Whoo, they might need some help from that softball team they’ve been so good.”
Oklahoma’s SEC outlook
There’s no denying the type of historically successful program Oklahoma has had through the years, and the Sooners have 4 trips to the College Football Playoff. However, 3 of those trips are credited to Lincoln Riley with the head coach now leading USC.
Brent Venables was tabbed to lead the Sooners heading into 2023, but his first season was far from a success. Oklahoma started 3-0 but ultimately fell apart with a 3-6 record in Big 12 play.
We’ll see if Venables can turn things around during 2023 before the jump to the SEC. A bit of momentum for the program after the way things fizzled out in 2022 would certainly be a welcome sight.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
