Fans and ESPN’s College Gameday get ready for OU’s first SEC game

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — ESPN’s College Gameday show is set up and starts at 8:00 am in the South Oval on the OU Campus. Sooner and Volunteer fans are also setting up their tailgates and campers getting ready for the OU’s SEC opener.

“Oh, I think they’re going to be really revved up,” said Rece Davis, with College Gameday.

Saturday is a big day in Norman.

“We’ve entered into a new era of OU football,” said Randy Wilson, an OU fan.

The Wilson family is already preparing on Friday morning, setting up at the duck pond right by the stadium. It’s been their tradition for the past eight years.

However, this game is different. It’s the Sooners’ first SEC match up since joining the conference.

“If they’re coming in here thinking they’re just going to walk all over OU they got another thing coming,” said Wilson.

“Never count us out,” said his wife Sheila.

Volunteer fans are not too far away from the Wilsons, like Stephanie Hays. The Louisiana native has been following Tennessee for years.

“This is our retirement plan,” said Hays.

She always brings her gumbo and couldn’t step away while talking to News 4.

“Because if you step away from a roux, it will burn,” said Hays.

She’s excited for the Sooners to be a part of the Southeastern Conference.

“Yeah, there are some rivalries and people like to talk smack here and there but that’s just part of the game,” said Hays.

Near the stadium, ESPN’s College Gameday is setting up. Davis said get ready, more Tennessee fans are on their way.

“My plane was filled with orange yesterday,” said Davis.

Davis issued this warning for the crimson and cream.

“There’s always a little bit of a learning curve, growing pains, or whatever,” said Davis.

The Wilsons agree.

“We do need to have some patience,” said Randy Wilson.

Despite the rivalry, they are excited to see a familiar face back at the Palace on the Prairie.

“And we’re ready to welcome back Josh Heupel,” said Sheila Wilson.

The once star Sooner quarterback and former OU assistant coach is now the Vols head coach.

“He admitted that when he steps foot on the grass out there, that there will be will probably be some emotions,” said Davis.

Another familiar face will also be coming to the Gameday stage—Blake Shelton.

“He is coming from hunting elks,” said Davis. “I’m a Blake Shelton fan.”

No matter who’s on the field, on the sidelines, or adding commentary, this promises to be a game to remember.

“There is that thing we call Sooner magic,” said Wilson.

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