Oklahoma football: A look ahead at unfinished Sooner business
By John Makuch
November 27 @ Oklahoma State
This regular-season matchup will be part one of a two-part series if both teams win out up to this point.
As things stand currently, the Sooners and in-state-rival Cowboys are on a collision course to face each other two weekends in a row, the latter of which will determine the Big 12 champion and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
Through the first nine games, Oklahoma State has only lost once this season, to Iowa State.
The Cowboys and Sooners have a legendary in-state rivalry that dates back to 1904, with Oklahoma leading the all-time series 90-7-18, including the last six games between the two teams.
Oklahoma State’s most recent victory came back in 2014, and the Cowboys will look to end their losing streak in a vital matchup.
The Cowboys has the best defensive team in the Big 12 and one of the best in the country, but their offense is not as explosive as it has been in recent years. Oklahoma State only puts up 28.8 points per game compared to Oklahoma’s 42.9, but the Cowboys only give up 16.3 points per game while the Sooners give up 24.2 per game.
These two teams have contrasting styles of play, and it will come down to Oklahoma’s offense vs Oklahoma State’s defense.
The Cowboys’ offense has done just enough for OK State this season, and they no doubt will need one of their better performances of the season against Oklahoma.
Quarterback Spencer Sanders has been a solid player for OSU offense, but this team lacks the consistency on offense of a majority of BIG 12 squads.
However, when you can control the pace against a high-scoring offense, it will take a while for a team like Oklahoma to get going especially on the road. The crowd in Stillwater could spell trouble for OU, but the Sooners have won in their last four visits to Oklahoma State and eight of the last 10..
If Oklahoma loses the regular-season finale at OSU but can rebound with a win the following week in the Big 12 Championship, the Sooners would still have a chance of making the College Football Playoff as a Power Five conference champion. The same scenario applies to Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys would likely have to sweep the Sooners because of their one previous loss.
With the timing of Oklahoma’s move to the SEC still undetermined, this could also be the last meeting between the two in-state rivals for some time in the future. Which brings up another potential factor in the outcome of the Nov. 27 game. Oklahoma can expect some added hostility from the highly partisan OSU crowd as a result of the decision by the Sooners to leave the Big 12.
There is a lot on the line in the regular-season finale, but there usually is when these two longtime football rivals get together.
We’re picking the Sooners in a close one, 31-27.
Finishing out the regular season 3-0, or at the very least 3-1, is the only real path the Sooners have to have a realistic chance of making the College Football Playoff. Caleb Williams and the Sooners will be motivated and ready to take on the remainder of the Big 12 schedule, including a rematch with one of these teams for the conference championship.
This scenario should set them up to make the playoff with some help Only time will tell what the CFP committee thinks, or what the other top teams in the country will do in their games.
Oklahoma just needs to winning and let the chips fall where they may. One thing is 100 percent certain: An undefeated Oklahoma team will make the Final Four.