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3 reasons Oklahoma can still reach the College Football Playoffs
The Oklahoma Sooners lost their season opener to the Houston Cougars, but they could still reach the College Football Playoffs to compete for a national championship.
Things didn’t go as planned for the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the season opener, falling to the 15th-ranked Houston Cougars. Oklahoma were favorites to contend for a national championship and a spot in the college football playoffs, but they’re starting the season 0-1 and have an uphill battle to climb.
But that doesn’t mean Oklahoma fans should be panicking just yet, the Oklahoma Sooners could still reach the College Football Playoffs and contend for a championship, and here is why.
3. It’s the beginning of the season
Rarely can a team make it through the season unscathed. Trap games, rivalries, and seemingly act of gods can knock off a team on any week. Think about some of the miraculous things that have gone Auburn’s way in recent years.
But if a team is to lose and keep their hopes of a run at a national championship in tact, the earlier in the season the better. Think back to last season. Oklahoma lost to an unranked Texas team in early October, but overcame the loss to make earn a place in the College Football Playoff.
The more distance between the selection for the College Football Playoff and a loss the better, teams have times to rack up quality wins and erase that loss in the minds of the committee. They have more opportunities to prove their worth and make their case for a spot.
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates with teammates after his touchdown in the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
2. They play Ohio State in two weeks
Speaking of big wins, they have an opportunity in just two weeks time. After Ohio State steamrolled Bowling Green 77-10 in the opening week, they’d be moving into the top-five without Oklahoma losing. A win over Ohio State puts that loss to Houston in the rear-view mirror in a hurry.
It also gives Oklahoma a signature win that they need when the playoff selection committee is making decisions towards the end of the season. This is a team that has played in and won a College Football Playoff, rarely losing under the tutelage of new head coach Urban Meyer.
This is also a team with a Heisman trophy candidate under center in their own right, J.T. Barrett, who threw for six touchdowns and rushed for another on Saturday. A win over him is huge for Oklahoma, and could be crucial to Baker Mayfield’s Heisman campaign resuming.
Fortunately for the Sooners, they get to host this tough contest at home in their newly renovated stadium. That home field advantage could prove to be an equalizer for the Sooners, and the catalyst to put their season back on track.
Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Big 12 is still wide open
The Oklahoma Sooners came into the season the clear favorites and their preseason ranking is indicative of that. But outside of the Sooners there isn’t a clear contender standing in their way at this point.
TCU is the next highest ranked team at 13. Oklahoma State is ranked 21st, and Baylor sneaked in at 23. Those are the teams standing in Oklahoma’s way at this moment heading into the season and none of them are causing concern in Norman.
TCU and Baylor are formidable teams that have contended for Big 12 titles, and won, in recent years. Oklahoma State is always a challenge and an important rivalry game down the line. But they all still need to beat Oklahoma, giving the Sooners an element of controlling their destiny.
The Sooners close the season against Oklahoma State and play Baylor in early December. If the Sooners can get a win over Ohio State, TCU is the only team that stands a chance to stop Oklahoma, but they get two weeks to recover from the game against the Buckeyes and focus solely on the Horned Frogs.
That doesn’t bode well for TCU, and the Sooners will be brimming with confidence if they knockoff Ohio State.
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