2012 Best-Worst Case: October, Part 1

If you haven’t yet, check out the best and worst case scenarios for September.

Oklahoma gets away with a relatively easy month in September compared to October. K-State will be a solid test, but October will be rough. Oklahoma will start the month with a trip to Lubbock, a place where OU’s dreams and hopes are shot to hell. Then, the Sooners go to the Cotton Bowl for their annual showdown with arch-rival, Texas. If the Sooners can come away clean those first two weeks, they should have an easy win lined up at home against Kansas. Finally, the Sooners will wrap up October with one of the most anticipated games of the year.

Several things could go wrong, but as the Sooners season approaches, let’s pray Oklahoma can avoid dropping one or two in October.

Week Six: Texas Tech

Best Case: Oklahoma will have a bye week to give them an extra seven days to prepare. And if their date with Kansas State results in injuries, they will have some time to recover. Though, the Sooners need everyone for this game. I don’t care if the Red Raiders have another mediocre year, OU has to get the monkey off their back and win in Lubbock. If all goes well, the defense will shut down Seth Doege, and Jones will continue to make noise, and may be making a push for the Heisman trophy. The Sooners potentially could come away with a comfortable win, but in Lubbock, no Sooner is safe.

Worst Case: We have seen worst case against Texas Tech. It is not fun. The Red Raiders have been a thorn in the side every time Oklahoma visits Tech, and they will look to take advantage of this opportunity to knock off a Big 12 favorite early in the season. Oklahoma’s guys have to stay focused and not looking ahead to Texas. If they do, then it will be open season on the Sooners. The Red Raiders could shock the world again by defeating the Sooners, but pending injuries, this is a game Oklahoma shouldn’t lose. However, until they prove me otherwise, Lubbock is cursed territory for anyone wearing crimson and I can not write this one off as a win.

Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Texas Tech 17

Week Seven: Texas

Best Case: A lot of hype is surrounding the Longhorns. It could be up to the defense to hold back the Texas offense. The Longhorns defense potentially could be one of the best in the nation, which could challenge Landry Jones like never before. Jones has never lost to UT as a starter, and if he can get out alive, that would be nice to say he never lost as a starter to our arch nemesis. Anyway, the offense has to step up in this one, and if they can get the UT crowd out of the game, it will be no worries. The boys can not get flustered and be intimidated by the Red River Shootout atmosphere. They have to go out there and perform, and if all goes well, I wouldn’t be shocked by a two touchdown win if Oklahoma plays another stellar game in Dallas.

Worst Case: The Horns haven’t beat the Sooners in this new decade, and they will want revenge after the way Oklahoma treated the Horns last season. As I said, Texas is looking to have one of the better defenses in the league. We could possibly see a repeat of the 2009 OU-Texas game, but remember, the Sooners almost won that game. One or two less errors, and the Sooners could have knocked off the Horns. If it comes down to the wire, Oklahoma may not be as lucky as the 2009 Longhorns. And as this would already be week seven, a loss could be fatal.

Prediction: Oklahoma 17, Texas 13