Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Five reasons OU will win the Big 12 championship in their final year

By Brandon Self

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass before a Bedlam game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass before a Bedlam game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Winnable Schedule

Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

No division one college football schedule is easy; remember, they’re all division one athletes who have trained year-round for their talent to be displayed. The Sooners’ 2023 schedule isn’t easy; however, comparatively speaking, it’s easier than many other teams.

According to the Win/Loss record alone, Oklahoma ranks 58th out of 133 teams in the strength of schedule for 2023 with a combined opponent record of 84-71 (54.2%). That ranks them 3rd to last in the most challenging strength of schedule per Win/Loss measurement in the Big 12, next to Cincy (52.6%) and TCU (48.7%).

The Sooner’s toughest road games will be in the Cotton Bowl against Texas (21st hardest strength of schedule), in Nippert Stadium against Cincy (73rd hardest strength of schedule), and in Provo against BYU (47th hardest strength of schedule).

Let’s compare that to Texas. The Longhorns travel to Tuscaloosa, Waco, Houston, Ames, and Ft. Worth. All of which are a little tougher than Tulsa and Lawrence. TCU travels to Houston, Ames, Manhattan, and Norman. BYU has to go to Fayetteville in week three, as well as Ft. Worth, Austin, and Morgantown.

Suppose the Sooners can handle business when they’re supposed to and win at least one of their three difficult road games (listed above). In that case, they’ll be in the conference title game.

3 toughest road games

OU-Texas is a toss-up, but I don’t see the Sooners being unprepared for this one. Last year’s beatdown is still fresh; hopefully, we will take a quarterback with us this time. If Dillon is inactive for any reason this year against the Longhorns, I’ll go out on a limb and say that Jackson Arnold will be better than 6-12 for two picks. Not naming any names. Also, will a quarterback controversy be in full swing come October 7th for the Horns?

Texas Longhorns cheerleader celebrates a score against Oklahoma Sooners during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. This game makes up the114th rivalry match up.Rbb Tx Ou
Texas Longhorns cheerleader celebrates a score against Oklahoma Sooners during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. This game makes up the114th rivalry match up.Rbb Tx Ou /

Cincy is tricky. They’re not the same Cincy that made the College Football Playoff two seasons ago. They have a first-year head coach Scott Satterfield from App State, at the controls now. He’s a great head coach, but he’s in his first year, in the program’s first year of Big 12 play. Going from App State to the Big 12 is a challenge in itself. The Cincy program’s first official Big 12 opponent?… the Sooners.

Nov. 25, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats take the field before a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov. 25, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats take the field before a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK /

Provo gets cold. The average temperature in November for Provo, Utah, is 38 degrees. With this one being in the Mountain time zone, I’d expect the Big 12 to want this one played later in the day, possibly at night. So expect more of the 20s to be low 30s temperature range. Add a little snow off the Wasatch Range, and you have a good setup for an upset. Oh, and the altitude of Provo is 4,551 feet. Compare that to Norman’s 1,171 feet, and you’ve got a 3,380-foot elevation difference. Go run around with a Sonic straw in your mouth; that’s what it feels like after a while.

Sep 24, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; The Brigham Young Cougars cheer squad runs with flags after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; The Brigham Young Cougars cheer squad runs with flags after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sooners can go 12-0. Rock bottom, 9-3? Either way, their schedule is easy compared to the national landscape, and id expect them to capitalize on this. No Tech, no West Virginia, no K-State, no Baylor. All Big 12 teams defeated the Sooners last year.

So, the schedule is primed for victory. What’s next?

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