What do you need to know about the upcoming season? Right here:
Sept 3 – Tulsa FX 7 pm
Tulsa brings back starting QB G.J. Kinne from last year’s 6th ranked scoring offense to pose a good test for the Sooners’ secondary in Game 1. But the Golden Hurricane defense is not good and will give up at least 45 points to Oklahoma. Look for Tress Way’s little brother Cole as kicker for TU. Oklahoma wins, 48-10.
Sept 17 – at Florida State (#5) ABC/ESPN
The Seminoles, picked to win the ACC, have had this game marked on the calendar since their 47-17 embarrassment in Norman last year. FSU’s success depends on QB E.J. Manuel. He played backup last year and will face a dizzying secondary brought by the Sooners to Tallahassee. Seminole strength is in their wide receivers. Weakness may be at linebacker (two veterans lost to graduation). ESPN Game Day will be in Tallahasee. Lots of hype for this game. Oklahoma wins 24-18.
Sept 24 – Missouri (#21) 7 pm FX
Missouri has a tough road game to Arizona State before this game. The Tigers return most of their O-Line and all their defensive front. Defense will be a strength of Missouri. Inexperience at QB will be a weakness. This will be a season where Missouri losses, but just barely. Oklahoma wins in Norman, 31-14.
Oct 1 – Ball State
This is the weekend to schedule the family reunion, wedding, or just a day of work at the office. Sooners win 60-0.
Oct 8 – Texas (#24) 11 am ABC
Texas is coming off a losing season. That will change this year, you can bet on it. But, the revolving QB picture in Austin does not bode well for big games. The OU-Texas match rarely follows conventional wisdom, but this year expect the Sooners to dominate. Oklahoma 31 Texas 10.
Oct 15 – at Kansas
The Jayhawks are a bad team. Oklahoma 45-3.
Oct 22 – Texas Tech
The Red Raiders don’t play well east of Amarillo. Sooners win this one easily, 35-17.
Oct 29 – at Kansas State
RB Bryce Brown will carry the load for this team, which returns only two starters on offense. The Wildcats would hope their defense doesn’t return. Last year it was abysmal and this year probably won’t be much better. Oklahom wins this one in Manhattan, 47-7.
Nov 5 – Texas A&M (#9)
The Aggies don’t want to dance with the Big 12, but they’re having to and that makes for less than ideal environment. Well, that and having to come to Norman, which has been the location of most of A&M’s bad defeats. This year the Aggies are expected to play much better than in the past and look for a close(r) game. Oklahoma wins, 28-21.
Nov 19 – at Baylor
Yes, the Bears are better and they have record making Robert Griffin III. Strength is offense. Weakness is defense, which only returns five starters. Oklahoma wins 49-28.
Nov 26 – Iowa State 7 pm FX
Don’t eat too much turkey on Thanksgiving Day if you want to watch this game. It’s a snoozer. Oklahoma 52 Iowa State 7.
Dec 3 – at Oklahoma State (#8) ABC
The game of the year. A good matchup that will hinge on the OSU defense being able to slow down the Sooners offense just enough to give the Cowboys a chance to capitalize on breaks which may occur. This will be a tight game perfect for the ABC television audience (although a nail biter for OU and OSU fans). Oklahoma wins, 17-16.
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