Over 35 minutes into Oklahoma's first weekly press conference of the season after media was warned it got just two more questions to ask OU head coach Brent Venables, 247Sports' James D. Jackson finally asked the first question not about the Sooners' roster or coaches, but actually about their first opponent, Illinois State.
Venables joked about how long it took for media to finally actually ask him about the Sooners' Week 1 opponent, but it was evident how overlooked FCS foes are at the start of the season, especially with Michigan up next. However, even though the rest of us might be looking beyond Illinois State already, Venables knows the Sooners aren't just opening the season against some FCS cupcake.
FCS powerhouse Illinois State visits OU Week 1
"We are playing a game," Venables snarked. "We're kicking off against a playoff team. Coach Brock (Spack) has done an amazing job."
The Redbirds made it to the second round of the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs last season before losing to No. 5 UC Davis. Illinois State finished the season 10-4. However, the record doesn't look as impressive when considering the Redbirds lost to Iowa 40-0 in their only matchup against an FBS team. Illinois State will play just one FBS opponent again this season in OU.
Illinois State does have something few college football programs have nowadays at any level, though -- stability. Brock Spack is entering his 17th season as Illinois State's head coach and is already the program's winningest coach ever.
The Redbirds also returned 16 starters from last year's team, including six preseason All-Americans at the FCS level. That returning experience has Illinois State at No. 6 in the preseason AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.
"They've got a great culture and foundation," Venables said. "You don't stay somewhere that long without doing things the right way and having success, as well. I think (Spack) has 25 more wins than the second-most successful coach in the history of that program. At every level, man, that's big-time. ...
"They're preseason No. 6 in the country. A lot of people think a lot about their team that they have."
Read more about OU football