Oklahoma football 2017 kickoff preview: Part I

Ah, summer…For most it means backyard barbecues, outings to the beach, and family vacations. For Oklahoma football fans, summer  — and especially the beginning of July  — marks the seemingly interminable march towards kickoff , this season at the start of September.

The dog days of summer can, indeed, seem endless.

Summer is also a time to dust off the ol’ crystal ball and start the season prognostications in earnest.

And in spite of Bob Stoops’ shocking June departure and the ascension of Lincoln Riley, Sooner Nation’s hopes are high for the 2017 Sooners, who are favorites to win the Big 12 and are one of the contenders to make the College Football Playoff. So let’s take a look at the Sooners’ schedule and figure out what lies ahead for the Crimson and Cream.