Oklahoma football: Final thoughts, bold predictions on Alamo Bowl game day.

Exactly one month ago today, the world of Oklahoma football was turned completely upside down.

And it wasn’t because the Sooners had lost to their Bedlam rivals, Oklahoma State, for the first time in seven years and, in so doing, would not have the opportunity to win a seventh consecutive Big 12 championship.

The loss to Oklahoma State was merely the teaser, it turned out. The following morning, Lincoln Riley made a decision that shocked the Sooner world. He was leaving Oklahoma to take over another college football blue-blood program, USC, but one that is not nearly at the championship level presently that Oklahoma was when Bob Stoops handed over the Sooner reigns.

What started out as an absolute nightmare around the OU program has slowly regained a sense of stability and the realization that this is still Oklahoma and the future remains solid.

Tonight in San Antonio, Stoops will lead the Sooners on one final quest in the 2021 season, an Alamo Bowl matchup with 14th-ranked Oregon, the Pac-12 runner up this season and, at one time during the season, was ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff standings.

Stoops will be on the sideline in his customary white OU visor and leading the program he helped rebuild in the 2000s into a perennial championship contender for what likely will be the final time —  barring, of course, another shell-shocker of a head-coaching departure.

Senior safety Pat Fields says the Sooners are anxious to get back on the field and win this one because of the taste in their mouth from losing the last game they played. Part of that is certainly true, but you also have to believe that the players want to win this game for Coach Stoops.

Three bold predictions

• The man they call “Superman” will have one of his best games of the year. True freshman sensation Caleb Williams will lead Oklahoma to the win, throwing for over 250 yards and three touchdowns and gaining another 100 on the ground and a rushing TD.
• The so-called undermanned Oklahoma defense will shut down the nation’s fourth-best third-down offense and force two turnovers.
• Kennedy Brooks will rush for over 100 yards for the 14th time in his career and the third game in a row.