Oklahoma Sooners Football: Kickoff times announced for season opener, three other games

The season opener for the Oklahoma Sooners is still 93 days away, but we now know the kickoff time for that one. In addition, the game times for three other OU games were announced on Thursday.

Sept. 1 vs. FAU: 11 a.m. CT on FOX

Sept. 8 . vs. UCLA: 12 p.m. CT on FOX

Sept. 15 at Iowa State: 11 a.m. CT on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU

Nov. 23 at West Virginia: 7 p.m. on ESPN

If you’ve read this blog often enough over the past two years, you’re probably aware of the fact that I’m not a big fan of the early kickoffs. There’s nothing better than tailgating on a fall Saturday, and these kickoff times sort of cut into that. Having said that, I know a lot of you enjoy these times for a number of reasons, and I get it. I’m just hoping that some of the mid/late-season kickoffs will be a bit later than midday. 2:30 always works for me. 6 or 7 is even better.

I was sort of hoping for the UCLA game to be a bit later, and I thought it was realistic after looking at that week’s national schedule. It didn’t shake out that way, but I guess noon is better than 11.

Luckily, the Iowa State game is also early, which will take that environment down a notch. I know Jack Trice Stadium isn’t typically brought up as one of the tougher environments in college football, but the recent expansion and on-field success have had a pretty big impact on that front. It’ll be much better to play them early in the day, so I’m perfectly fine with that. Make them wake up early.

Then there’s the game at WVU, which will be played in prime time on the Friday after Thanksgiving. That crowd will be all sorts of nuts, but the 7 p.m. CT audience is a positive for the Big 12, so I’ll take it. I just hope we don’t have to have a rematch in Arlington a week later.