The feeling in Norman is mixed. There are some with low expectations, coupled with a despair that the Sooners program has fallen into an abyss of mediocrity. There are others fixed on the QB battle, anxious that the wrong selection might cost Oklahoma a Big 12 Championship. And still, there are more who have thrown caution to the wind and exude the air of confidence or optimism that only September will bring each year.
So, how will the Sooners fare this year? How does the schedule play out? Following is my crystal ball, which is, admittedly, about as clear as the Washita River following a storm.
Sept. 5 – Akron at home. Let’s just skip the discussion on this. The Sooners will be 1-0 by 9 pm that night. Highlight of the game will be Cody Thomas’ start, although he throws 3 interceptions in the second half and Trevor Knight cleans up in the fourth quarter.
Sept. 12 – at Tennessee. Here is where the season gets interesting. Tennessee has talent. It is an up-and-comer in the SEC and may be a year or two away from giving Alabama and others a good competition. More importantly, the Vols have circled this game on their schedule. They have had all spring and the fall camp to prepare for it. It is more important to the Tennessee program to win this game than any other. They know they will likely not compete for the conference championship, but to defeat a marque program would signal to the rest of football fandom that Tennessee is back. This will be a tough environment for whomever quarterbacks the Sooners. I don’t expect great things here. The Vols narrowly defeat the Sooners in Knoxville, 24-21. Sooners go 1-1 and fans are already grumbling.
Sept. 19 – Tulsa at home. The Sooners take out their frustrations in the lowly Golden Hurricane. Baker Mayfield starts this game, because the other two guys didn’t do so well in weeks one and two. TU loses this one by 45 points, takes their check and heads back up the turnpike. But Samaje Perine breaks a bone in his foot and is questionable the next four weeks. Sooners go to 2-1 on the season.
Oct. 3 – West Virginia at home. Sometimes in the past the Sooners would play poorly a week before OU-Texas, allowing the pundits to use the old “looking past” excuse. But West Virginia is a formidable opponent. It is also one that doesn’t play that well on the road, if the road is Lindsay Street and Jenkins. Mayfield will have a great game, going 30 of 38 for 412 yards. Sooners will find some way to slow the Mountaineers down and win this game 31-24.
October 10 – Texas (in Dallas). At some point Charlie Strong is going to get momentum in Austin going forward. But this year one can only hope the Red River Rivalry will be better than last year, even though the Sooners one, when neither team looked like they knew how to play football. The 2014 game was awful. This year let’s hope it is better. Sooners win 26-16 (or some other oddball score). Some kid named Mixon has a great game.
October 17 -at Kansas State. The Sooners will win this game because Bob Stoops has never – repeat, never – lost in Manhattan. Oklahoma goes 5-1 for the season and cracks the AP Top 10. National pundits start talking about Oklahoma being a national contender, despite the fact the defensive secondary can’t cover anyone and the quarterback’s interception to touchdown ratio is upside down.
October 24 – Texas Tech at home. The Red Raiders do not bring their first team on away trips. Apparently that’s in their contract somewhere. Sooners win, but barely, 43-40, in overtime. Sooners go 6-1. All three quarterbacks for OU play in this game.
October 31 – at Kansas. It is on Halloween. But, no tricks or treats for the Sooners. Oklahoma wins this one 48- 0. You can leave Lawrence at the half and try your luck at the Indian casino in KC if you want. Sooners go 7-1.
November 7 – Iowa State at home. Despite a tie at halftime (14-14), Oklahoma pulls away in the third quarter and wins this game 42-14. But, at least 10,000 fans leave early and don’t see how the game finishes.
November 14 – at Baylor. Just when the fans and everyone is feeling really good about the Sooners, they lay a big egg in Bearville. Baylor will win this one 32-14. Ugly. The Sooner secondary gives up a record 711 yards.
November 21 – TCU at home. Redemption day. Thanks to some significant injuries to Horned Frogs, the Sooners eek this one out, winning 41-40, thanks to a 40 yard field goal. Sooners go 9-2.
November 28 – Bedlam in Stillwater. Now, this is where it gets sticky. The Sooners traditionally play well in Stillwater, messing up the Aggie’s bowl hopes and all that. But, this year OSU will have had a lousy season before Bedlam, losing to Texas, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU and Iowa State. So, in order to redeem themselves the Cowboys score a last minute touchdown as a result of some idiotic Sooner coaching decision and win 30-24, as the clock expires. The remainder of classes in Stillwater are cancelled for the semester and everyone gathers at the pig barn to celebrate in an Aggie way.
The Sooners finish the season with an 9-3 record, then go onto the Alamo Bowl to play Arizona, where the game ends in a tie because massive flooding causes evacuation of the Alamodome when a non-seasonal hurricane strikes San Antonio in the third quarter.
And so another crazy season goes.
–Mike
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