Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold is in for a rude awakening when the Sooners travel to Baton Rouge to close the regular season on November 30. He is begging for LSU fans to torment him.
They were going to do so anyway, because that is what happens in Death Valley, but the rising sophomore’s most recent comments will only lead them to be even more boisterous.
Arnold, a former five-star recruit, is going to be the starter in 2024 after sitting behind Dillon Gabriel last season. His regular season experience is limited to just 13 pass attempts in four games and he threw three interceptions in a 14-point loss to Arizona in the bowl game after his predecessor hit the transfer portal and ultimately ended up at Oregon. This fall is his first full year as QB1.
It is expected that Arnold will be better than he was in the lone start of his career thus far, but it could still be hard for Oklahoma just to win six games. The school’s first-ever SEC schedule is tough and every game is going to be a grind.
- vs. Temple
- vs. Houston
- vs. Tulane
- vs. Tennessee
- at Auburn
- vs. Texas
- vs. South Carolina
- at Ole Miss
- vs. Maine
- at Missouri
- vs. Alabama
- at LSU
Assuming that the Sooners take care of business against the Owls, Cougars, Green Wave and Black Bears, it will need to beat two SEC teams to make a bowl game. A win over Bayou Bengals to conclude the season could be the difference between a winning record and a losing record, or even .500.
Jackson Arnold is excited for all of the wrong reasons.
Arnold spoke with 104.5 ESPN at SEC Media Days earlier this week and made it abundantly clear that he has no idea what is coming. Big 12 crowds do not compare to the one in the Red Stick. Not even close.
Louisianimals are a different breed.
The atmosphere at Tiger Stadium is something that Arnold has circled on his calendar. He even hopes that the game is played under the lights.
While it is admirable that a true sophomore looks forward to the big game, his expectation is misinformed. Arnold said that Death Valley “might go quiet” if Oklahoma scores. Bold!
Death Valley "Might Go Quiet" says OU QB Jackson Arnold about the Sooners playing LSU 👀👀#GeauxTigers #BoomerSooner @MattMoscona pic.twitter.com/TsiKzgYx85
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) July 19, 2024
Not only is that entirely untrue — because LSU fans never go quiet after a long day of tailgating — he already gave them every reason to take things to another level. They’ll be even louder because of what Jackson Arnold said during the preseason.