The Oklahoma Sooners have won the Big 12 two years in a row, and though they're dealing with plenty of turnover this offseason (particularly offensively) they go into the 2017 season as the favorites to win the conference for a third year in a row. However, their goals don't just end there - they want to return to the College Football Playoff. Will they do it? Here's a game-by-game prediction of Oklahoma's schedule this year:
Week 1: vs. UTEP Miners
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
With a marquee showdown against Ohio State looming, facing UTEP gives Oklahoma an easy tune-up game to start their season. Sooners win in a blowout.
Week 2: at Ohio State Buckeyes
Prediction: LOSS (1-1)
The second of a home-and-home series between these two, Ohio State went to Norman and blew out the Sooners in 2016. Many believe that loss is what kept Oklahoma out of the playoff. Both teams should be ranked in the top five or 10 in the preseason, meaning this will likely have playoff implications again. Unfortunately for the Sooners, The Horseshoe will make the difference in this close game.
Week 3: vs. Tulane Green Wave
Prediction: WIN (2-1)
Another easy win in a tune-up game before the start of conference play.
Week 4: at Baylor Bears
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Baylor is still a mess in the post-Art Briles era and don't have the overall talent - on either side of the ball - to compete with Oklahoma.
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Iowa State Cyclones
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
OU comes off their bye week to face a lackluster ISU team. Given the talent gap between the two teams, this will be another blowout in Oklahoma's favor.
Week 7: vs. Texas Longhorns (Dallas, TX)
Prediction: WIN (5-1)
Even though the Sooners will win, it'll be much closer than many think. Oklahoma's defense could be the best in the conference, and even though they lost a lot of talent on offense, quarterback Baker Mayfield will have them playing at a high level. The Sooners will win a shootout.
Week 8: at Kansas State Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (6-1)
Oklahoma has owned the series between these two schools, but this will be one of their toughest tests of the season. K-State is a solid team that won't beat themselves, yet they don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with Baker Mayfield & Co.
Week 9: vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Prediction: WIN (7-1)
Until Texas Tech figures out how to play defense, Oklahoma is going to run through the Red Raiders. Expect them to score over 50 points in a sizable win.
Week 10: at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Prediction: WIN (8-1)
Mason Rudolph and James Washington returned in hopes of leading the Cowboys to a conference title, but that's not going to happen after this. Oklahoma's defense should limit the production of those two stars and they're just as explosive (if not more so) offensively. They'll remind the Cowboys who run this rivalry.
Week 11: vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Prediction: WIN (9-1)
Every game these two has been decided by seven points or less since TCU joined the Big 12. Inevitably, it seems like this game will be close as well - but the Horned Frogs aren't pulling off the upset in Norman.
Week 12: at Kansas Jayhawks
Prediction: WIN (10-1)
C'mon, it's Kansas. Oklahoma isn't going to lose to them.
Week 13: vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Prediction: WIN (11-1)
West Virginia is going to be one of the breakout teams in the country this year led by new quarterback Will Grier, who will be one of the biggest breakout stars in the country. WVU will be a contender in the Big 12 and this could be a preview of the conference championship game. However, Oklahoma isn't going to lose a game of that magnitude at home.
Check out our Texas Longhorns page for all the latest Texas football news or download the Chat Sports App!
Back to the Oklahoma Sooners Newsfeed