Oklahoma football: What would an SEC-Big 12 football challenge look like?
![NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Dede Westbrook #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners is tackled by Stephen Roberts #14 of the Auburn Tigers during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Dede Westbrook #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners is tackled by Stephen Roberts #14 of the Auburn Tigers during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/15fc59a1a1434feab072b49bc6196a3b0a0fbd0ac8bbf94bebfda6b5104ceeca.jpg)
College basketball fans have been able to enjoy the SEC-Big 12 Challenge for the past few years, but what would the concept look like if it were applied to football?
The Big 12 has a scheduling deal with the SEC to provide top-notch non-conference contests that try to match teams by talent and success tier. A similar concept applied to another sport could be a dream scenario for Oklahoma football fans, but what matchups would make the most sense? Here’s our idea.
Kansas vs. Arkansas
Two neighboring states, two programs new coaches hoping to take a step forward and two teams in need of a big non-conference win. Chad Morris would put his offensive prowess up against Les Miles and all-conference running back Pooka Williams. This could be a fun clash of personalities and would be a short travel for both fan bases.
Kansas State vs. Texas A&M
We are trying to avoid reviving old school rivalries in this series so pairing a former Big 12 school with an opponent from the old north division makes the most sense. Plus, fans of the exciting Big 12 title game between the two teams in 1998 will enjoy this rematch.
The Aggies are hoping to take the next step forward and challenge Alabama in their division, but may still be at least a year or two away from that happening.
The Wildcats have moved on from Bill Snyder for the second time and are hoping that Chris Klieman is the right guy to lead the program back to the top of the conference. If he can revive an offense that has struggled to be explosive, there are some pieces on the other side of the ball to make this a solid team overall. The Aggies would be favored, but could find tough sledding, especially if the game took place in Manhattan.