The Oklahoma Sooners made the College Football Playoff last season after winning the Big 12, and with plenty of star offensive players returning, they're expected to earn another bid in the playoff. Will they be able to? Here's a game-by-game breakout of how we see their season playing out in 2016:
Week 1 - vs. Houston Cougars
Prediction: LOSS (0-1)
Talk about a serious non-conference schedule. Oklahoma starts the year playing in NRG Stadium against hometown Houston, who return virtually every key player from last year's team that won the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Cougars are looking to crash the playoff party themselves, and this is their best chance to pick up a marquee win.
I think Oklahoma will split their games against Houston and Ohio State, and since this is essentially a road game for the Sooners - plus a game that will make or break Houston's season - the Cougars will play a bit more inspired and win a close game.
Week 2 - vs. ULM Warhawks
Prediction: WIN (1-1)
This will be a nice break for the Sooners between two huge games. Oklahoma may come out flat because of that, but they'll still win in blowout fashion.
Week 3 - vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Prediction: WIN (2-1)
Another toss up between two playoff contenders, but Oklahoma is at home, giving them the advantage.
Week 4 - BYE
Week 5 - at TCU Horned Frogs
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
TCU is expected to take a step back in 2016 after losing star quarterback Trevone Boykin to the NFL, along with seven other offensive starters. They will still be breaking in a lot of new impact players when this game comes around, meaning Oklahoma should simply be able to outscore them.
Week 6 - vs. Texas Longhorns
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
You don't think the Sooners remember last year's loss? That's not happening again.
Week 7 - vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (5-1)
Kansas State will be better than last year (as long as they stay healthy), but they still don't have the athleticism and talent to keep up with Oklahoma, especially at the skill positions.
Week 8 - at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Prediction: WIN (6-1)
Texas Tech will have one of the best offenses in the country again, but their defense hasn't been able to stop anyone for the last two or three years. This will be a shootout - one that the Sooners will win.
Week 9 - vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Prediction: WIN (7-1)
This isn't basketball.
Week 10 - at Iowa State Cyclones
Prediction: WIN (8-1)
Again, this isn't basketball.
Week 11 - vs. Baylor Bears
Prediction: WIN (9-1)
We still don't know how Baylor will look on the field without Art Briles, but the Bears still have a roster that will compete for a conference title and playoff berth. This will be Oklahoma's toughest conference game, but with Baylor's lackluster defense, the Sooners should win by double digits.
Week 12 - at West Virginia Mountaineers
Prediction: WIN (10-1)
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen is very much on the hot seat coming into this year as WVU has lost at least five games in each of the last five years. Their talent level leaves something to be desired, so while this will be a tough road game for the Sooners, their dominance will show itself.
Week 13 - BYE
Week 14 - vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Prediction: WIN (11-1)
The Sooners knocked off Oklahoma State in what essentially served as the Big 12 Championship game last year, and you know the Cowboys have this date circled for revenge - but that's not happening in Norman.
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