The best time of the year is approaching once more, and sooner fans can't be more excited for the fall season kickoff. With the first home game quickly approaching this Saturday, the excitement is in the air. Here are some of the things surrounding Oklahoma football games and the Norman atmosphere to get excited for once again.
1. The Stadium
The major renovations to Owen Field were completed last year, and Gaylord Memorial Stadium now boasts a new and improved locker room, jumbo screen, and practice fields, to name a few. The impressive additions left a new and improved site many got to enjoy last season, and players and fans alike are ready to enjoy it once again.
2. Tailgating
One of the things that make Norman game days so exciting is the bustle of everyone being together with the shared love of sooner football. So many people come that main roads are blocked off for fans who walk everywhere. Being able to walk from tent to tent to see family and friends, while music and ESPN blares from surrounding speakers and tv's, many people are seen enjoying a cold one and choosing from an assortment of snacks and grilled food while waiting for the game to start.
3. Sooner Magic
Coming to watch Oklahoma football is usually highly anticipated, given the Sooners' outstanding record in the past. In fact, Oklahoma was named the best team of the modern era, winning the most games of any other team since 1946. OU comes in first with 628 wins, surpassing other greats like Ohio State and Alabama. This kind of momentum seems to keep rolling each year, and although many of these victories occurred on the road, fans all gather in Norman in hopes of seeing some more "Sooner Magic" on their home turf.
4. Heisman Park
It's hard to forget the OU legends who were Heisman winners, but just in case you did, you can easily be reminded by the five bronze statues that line Jenkins street on the east side of the stadium. It's here where you find some of the greats: Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White, and Sam Bradford.
5. Tradition
OU is one of the few universities in college football with serious tradition behind the game itself and winning. The Sooner Schooner is one of the most iconic, a covered wagon pulled by two ponies named "Boomer" and "Sooner" to represent a big part of the state's history. Another is the chant sung before every game with an index finger held high in the air, also going to represent the famous phrase "There's only one Oklahoma". Also to be noted is the famous "strut" down the field done by the drum major of The Pride band during their pre-game performance. These are some of the major traditional things sooner fans can't get enough of.
6. Atmosphere
The feeling in the air leading up to each and every game is a sensation one can only feel from going to experience for themselves. It's hard not to feel the energy radiating from the fans during the anticipation of the new game, and it gets further intensified during the hype video. Hearing the roar of "Boomer Sooner" echoing from each side of the stadium brings about an excitement that sooner fans are incapable of taming.
7. Scoring
There's no sweeter sound than "Touchdown, Sooners", accompanied by the cheers and high fives all around you, followed by the famous "iiiiiiiiit's good!" exclaimed by longtime announcer Jim Miller when the extra point is made.
8. Post-win thrill
After a good win, that electricity in the air continues to hum as people leave the stadium and head their separate ways. The bars and restaurants around campus corner and the crowded streets have a buzz about them that no amount of traffic can kill. It's this feeling that keeps Sooner fans eager to come back and experience OU game day time and time again and makes Norman one of the best places for college football.
