My cell phone rang earlier this week and, when I answered, the voice on the other end shouted: “How come you haven’t updated your website? The football season just began!”
The call came from a friend at the Sooner Caravan gathering of OU coaches and fans at the Cowboy Hall of Fame (I refuse to call it the new name, and yes, I still refer to the big box downtown as the Myriad). He was pumped, and for good reason.
Mike’s Blog
Yes, it’s here. I heard it in his voice — the enthusiasm that not only has the world returned to normalcy (we can turn off the debt ceiling debate on TV now and go to Sportscenter), but this fall brings with it something different. Are the stars truly aligning just right for Oklahoma to get its eighth national championship?
Our excitement was tempered only so slightly with the sudden realization that while we both really anticipate the opening kickoff in just four weeks, the weathermen say our Armageddon 105-degree-plus temps are likely to make the game experience something like being sandwiched in an oven with sweaty bacon for four hours.
Big deal. We’ll take it. I’ve been trying to shed 5-10 pounds anyway, and a sauna at Owen Field might do that.
More importantly, it’s time to get the 2011 Oklahoma Sooners on the grass again. We’re ready for that Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium PA announcer to crank up the “It’s football time in Oklahoma!”
And, thanks to star players like Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles, Travis Lewis and other very talented teammates, I’m expecting a serious run at the national championship. Sure, hope springs eternal and I’m long drunk on the Kool-Aid, but, dang it, this year seems special.
Some others think so too. Today, the USA Today Coach’s Poll was released and the Sooners are the pre-season No. 1 team in the nation, receiving 42 of 59 first-place votes.
Meanwhile, for our 12th consecutive year our little corner of the internet (i.e., this website) will be there.
Our plan is to offer some different things, including some new voices and features. High level (all secret hush-hush, you know) planning meetings are being conducted in corporate offices in various locations (the McAllister’s Deli ice tea is really good at one of them). Travel arrangements are being made (yes, we will be in Tallahasee on September 17). Hunter even gave the Schooner it’s annual cleaning. So, we’re just about ready to go.
The Soonerguys.com pre-season edition will launch August 15. See you there. Or here. Or somewhere. Boomer!
Photo: Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas
Follow