OU football Qs NOT expected to be answered at media days

It is indeed time for OU football to take the summer spotlight with Big 12 media days this week in Arlington, Texas.

One last time as it just so happens to be. The Sooners and Texas Longhorns, of course, will be headed to the SEC in 2024.

Head coach Brent Venables will be joined by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, wide receiver Drake Stoops, defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and linebacker Danny Stutsman.

A lot of questions will be SEC-centric, for sure. But here are some other questions that you should expect to be asked but maybe not answered Thursday at Cowboys Stadium.

The financial balance between NIL and facilities?

Hey, go ahead and give Oklahoma Breakdown the shoutout here. It would make a lot of sense about Thad Turnipseed leaving if Name, Image, Likeness has taken over the OU landscape.

A lot of people would even agree with that sentiment. We mention facilities, but it could really be anything. The balance between NIL and everything else involved in college athletics. We’re in a fascinating period, just not sure Venables is going to touch this one.

Why 2022 simply didn’t work out on the field?

Guess the wondering here is will we get a kiddie gloves answer? Or a break it down to the studs and really go into what didn’t work and why that is?

What we’ve heard more than anything is how close OU was to being its regular solid self in 2022 instead of why there were such issues to begin with. A little hindsight ‘n all that might allow Venables a chance to dive in.

The actual excitement about going to the SEC in 2024?

Let’s type it out now. “We’re excited about the SEC, but all of our focus is on the Big 12 and the 2023 season.” OK, we’re done.

Maybe SEC questions will just get asked so much that Venables will leave his coach-speak to the side and deliver an impassioned response. Maybe?

Learning how to be a head coach?

This is a great one and involves a lot of self-criticism and reflection. But boy would it tell OU fans a lot about what Venables is thinking and why 2023 should be better.

It would be OK for Venables to admit – not that he’s over his head, per se – but more that being a head coach is just a lot different than being a coordinator. Even if you’re the best coordinator in the game, it’s a little different wearing that hat.

Quarterback battle between Gabriel and Arnold?

We’re going to hear it in July, August and into the season. There’s going to be a part of the OU fan base that is ready to say thanks to Dillon Gabriel for trying to steady things in 2022. However, now is the time for Jackson Arnold.

It’s still Gabriel’s time. The quicker some fans accept that, the better off everybody will be. Now things can change in, say, October or November. But in July and August? Tap the brakes.

There will be plenty more questions asked. Some good, some bad. Some answered, some not. But SoonerScoop.com will be there for it all. Carey Murdock, Bob Przybylo, Eddie Radosevich and George Stoia will all be in Arlington for OU’s day on the stage.

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