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NORMAN — OU’s schedule isn’t lacking in important matchups.
The Sooners’ inaugural ride through the SEC includes matchups vs. powers Alabama and LSU as well as upstarts Ole Miss and Missouri. It’s got a showdown with Josh Heupel’s Tennessee squad and a first-ever visit to Auburn.
There’s also the always-important showdown with Texas in the Cotton Bowl and a nonconference game against Tulane that could be sneakily dangerous.
ESPN’s strength-of-schedule metrics put OU’s as the seventh-toughest in the country. But all of the tougher schedules are also in the SEC so the Sooners are just in the middle of the pack in the conference.
The SEC is plenty deep this season, leaving predictions about the Sooners’ fate all over the place, from beyond in College Football Playoff contention to fighting for a bowl berth.
Here’s a look at the OU scheduling, ranking the games in order of importance:
More: OU football adds Utah State to 2027 nonconference schedule
1. vs. Texas in Dallas (2:30 p.m. Oct. 12, ABC or ESPN)
The take: Could it be anything different? OU-Texas is at the top of the importance list every season but this season it takes on an even greater importance. The Longhorns have the makings of a playoff contender and a top-flight quarterback in Quinn Ewers. The Sooners’ win over Texas last season was the highlight of their season. Best case for OU, it comes into this game undefeated and looking for a win to strengthen its bid for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Worst case, the Sooners might need a win here to stay afloat after a tough start to SEC play. Either way or anything in the middle, the Red River Rivalry is at the top of the list of important matchups for OU this season.
Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) celebrates a touchdown beside Texas Longhorns defensive back Jerrin…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-football-ranking-sooners-schedule-103049019.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-08-04 10:30:49
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