MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Once again, the Sooners will look to avoid losing multiple games in a row. Once again, they’ll look to become bowl eligible, with a second try after failing last weekend against Baylor.
But even with so much success over the years, this isn’t exactly completely unknown territory for Brent Venables and the Sooners. On this date in 2009, Venables’ third-to-last in Norman before leaving the South Plains for Clemson, the Sooners had four losses. They also endured four losses before that in 2005. They’d finish both of those seasons on a somewhat positive note.
“Yeah, mindset and the continue to invest,” Venables said of those two campaigns. “You know, those are just being a competitor. Like I said, when you’ve invested as much as you have, you just don’t surrender. You know? Again, I pay attention to what’s being said or the opinions. And that’s what you all get paid to do, to go really high with everybody or really down here and get the clickbait and all that kind of stuff. That’s what you do. And whether it’s intentional or not, you know, because I’ve known some people say, ‘Oh, the season’s over. It’s forgotten.’ But those guys in that locker room don’t think that. Us coaches don’t think that. And if that’s the case, why don’t you just end it now? You know what I mean? Because that’s what some people report, which is fine. They’re entitled to do that. But it’s not how you live life, or you’re going to live a bad life or a miserable life.
“So, I think there’s some similarities certainly in the win and loss column. Obviously, you’re six, seven, eight, 10, 11 years building the program and a locker room full of a bunch of guys that have been around here, not only during that season, but for a long period of time, too. So, some of it’s the same, and then some of it’s you’re trying to create. Again, half our roster that hasn’t been here and invested in a really long time. So, what does that investment look like for each individual? You know, that’s a hard thing to gauge. But certainly being consistent with your message and being strong in moments of adversity or loss is incredibly important. And then, again, being able to quantify what just happened and what needs to take place and the things that everybody’s got to be responsible and accountable for I think is important.
“You have to still at the end of the day, appeal to the voice of reason when you’re in a leadership position. And so you’ve not gotta only be about it, but you also have to be able to bring people along with you and make sure that their mindset is where it needs to be.”
So, from a mindset perspective, that figures to be where Oklahoma is at this weekend. At least, that’s where it hopes to be while looking to improve to 6-4.
With all that said, the time has arrived for Oklahoma vs. West Virginia. Follow along now and feel free to interact with all our fellow members throughout all the action.
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