Oklahoma (Big 12) 2021

Team:     Oklahoma Sooners

Year:       2021

Game:     Oklahoma 28 Iowa State 21

Rating:    9
Cost Index:  Low

Stadium: Memorial Stadium

If you want to make it part of a larger trip:  Dallas
Don't Miss:  OU Campus

Avoid:  Oklahoma City

Attendees:  Bones, Carl

Overview:   My buddy Carl moved to Dallas a year ago. I've long wanted to go back to OU as the first time felt rushed and it was also a long time ago.  So we put this one on the list hoping it would be an important end of year Big12 game.  It was moderately important, but since Oklahoma lost the previous week and Iowa State had a down year it wasn't quite what we had hoped but it was still the Big Noon game on Fox. This meant we had an 11AM kick.

Pre-game:  We left from Dallas early in the AM so we didn't have a lot of time before the game to do much other than grab a bit to eat beforehand at a food truck.  

Game Experience:   This was a really good tactical game and we had excellent seats.  At one point in the first half we saw the Iowa State QB get crushed.  We both assumed he was out of the game but to his credit he came back in.  Game was back and forth and Iowa State hung in there even though it was clear Oklahoma was a lot better. As it turns out, this was Lincoln Riley's last home game before leaving for USC. 

Post Game:  After the game we went to the area just north of the stadium with the bars and restaurants.  They close the street and there are vendors all around.  It wasn't bad, we had a beer and watched the Alabama vs. Arkansas game for a bit. Eventually we got out of there as we had a hotel in Oklahoma City.   

We went to our hotel and watched the rest of the 3:30 games and regrouped.  We went out in OKC that night and we were not impressed with the offerings.   We hit the Bricktown and Automobile Alley and had no luck finding anything interesting.  We were about ready to give up and found midtown.  We walked around a bit and found Kong's Cantina, which wasn't bad except their cook wasn't there so the menu was very limited.  We ate what they had and got out of there and went to Fassler hall.  There was just something missing in that town.  I honestly can't believe they have an NBA team in there. 

One interesting thing, the next morning on the way out of town we stopped at the OKC bombing memorial.  It was very well done and worth the detour.  Another interesting observation -- there are a ton of weed dispensaries.  Many more that I would have expected.   

Stadium: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium

Summary: Oklahoma is certainly a legit big time college football spot. I won't be in a rush to go back as outside of Norman I don't see a whole lot going on, but also would not rule it out.  

Game Summary:  https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401287944