In college football we change our opinion on what we think on a game-by-game basis.
No other sport causes more flipping and flopping than football, and this season, with the new playoff in place, there's going to be a lot of opinions that change quite regularly.
And how bout the teams Oklahoma will face this season?
Here's a look at the remaining schedule and a few thoughts on some things that may have changed, stayed the same or shifted.
Saturday at Tulsa
Last week: Tulsa beat Tulane in overtime and struggled throughout.
What we thought about Tulsa coming in: There wasn't an uprising of folks who thought Tulsa was going to be a challenge for OU. Hard to imagine things have changed much.
What we think now: Tulsa needed overtime to beat Tulane. That doesn't bode well for trying to keep up with the Sooners.
Conventional wisdom says: The game will be easier than expected for OU.
Sept. 13 vs. Tennessee
Last week: Tennessee ran over Utah State, 38-7 in Knoxville, Tenn. Quarterback Justin Worley threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns against a fairly game Utah State team.
What we thought about the Vols coming in: Well, expectations were that Utah State would challenge the Vols and no one expected Worley would be as good as he was, completing 27-of-38 after returning from thumb surgery. Worley was named the starter in mid August.
What we think now: Tennessee is better than expected and can throw the ball down the field, something we really didn't know if the Vols could do. Of course, the Vols only averaged a bit more than 2 yards per carry in the win, so let's not hand 'em the SEC title just yet.
Conventional wisdom says: The game will be harder than we initially thought for Oklahoma.
Sept. 20 at West Virginia
Last week: The Mountaineers lost to Alabama 33-23 at the Georgia Dome.
What we thought about WVU coming in: No one gave WVU much of a shot here, similar to the Sooners when they played Alabama in last season's Sugar Bowl. WVU wasn't supposed to be good at all and the 26-point underdog wasn't supposed to put up much of a fight against Bama or in the Big 12.
What we think now: Maybe it was Bama's shaky play at quarterback, but WVU looked pretty good. Former FSU quarterback Clint Trickett threw for 365 yards and you have to think he'll do better in the coming weeks as he gets more comfortable. Certainly defenses won't be as good as Alabama's and you know with that offense they will find a way to score.
Conventional wisdom says: The game in Morgantown, W.V., will be much, much tougher than expected.
Oct. 4 at TCU
Last week: The Frogs beat Samford 48-14 in Fort Worth, Texas. Not Stanford, Samford.
What we thought about TCU coming in: Quarterback Trevone Boykin couldn't' pass. That's what we saw last season when the Frogs had their first losing season since 2004.
What we think now: Hard to say much has changed. Boykin did throw for a pair of touchdowns and the Frogs had 555 yards of offense. Boykin completed 29-of-41 passes for 320 yards. But does that change your opinion? It was against Samford, after all.
Conventional wisdom says: Boykin still isn't a good passer. Nothing has changed here.
Oct. 11 vs. Texas in Dallas
Last week: The Longhorns beat North Texas, 38-7. Not an impressive team to beat, but the defense was solid and the running game looked good for Texas.
What we thought about Texas coming in: Figured the running game would be the strong point of the offense and figured the toughness level would be on the rise with new coach Charlie Strong.
What we think now: Well, a lot has changed. Quarterback David Ash is injured again and there's no word on when or if he may return. That changes the offense quite a bit as the Longhorns will go from a thrower to a runner in Tyrone Swoopes. Jerrod Heard will now be the back-up.
Conventional wisdom says: The Sooners will already have plenty of motivation and they're just not going to get beat by a running quarterback. This game has gotten a lot easier.
Oct. 18 vs. Kansas State
Last week: The Wildcats beat Stephen F. Austin, 55-16. A typical K-State opponent for the first week of the season.
What we thought about K-State coming in: Honestly, does your opinion of K-State ever change as long as Bill Snyder is the head coach?
What we think now: Check back in two weeks after the Wildcats play at Iowa State and then home against Auburn. We might have a better idea.
Conventional wisdom says: Nothing has changed. The game is no tougher or easier than it appeared a week ago.
Nov. 1 at Iowa State
Last week: Ouch. Iowa State lost at home to FCS North Dakota State.
What we thought about Iowa State coming in: Well, we knew the Cyclones weren't very good, but we didn't think they were going to lose to North Dakota State at home.
What we think now: As unlikely as it seems to think less of Iowa State, somehow it's happened.
Conventional wisdom says: The game appears to be a walk-over for the Sooners, even more than it seemed a week ago.
Nov. 8 vs. Baylor
Last week: Baylor had no problems with SMU, 45-0.
What we thought about Baylor coming in: The Bears are the team to beat in the Big 12. They have the best offense in the conference and they have a Heisman candidate at quarterback.
What we think now: Hmm, how hurt is Bryce Petty? The Baylor QB took a shot to the lower back early in the game and didn't play in the second half. He says he's good, but if he's not, the dynamic of the team certainly changes. Petty threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. It was 31-0 at the break.
Conventional wisdom says: Art Briles is a great coach, but this team won't be the same if Petty is hurt. For Sooner fans, this game is significantly different if Petty is out. And much easier.
Nov. 15 at Texas Tech
Last week: Beat Central Arkansas 42-35 in Lubbock. That doesn't really pass the smell test, does it.
What we thought about Texas Tech coming in: Davis Webb returns for his sophomore season and the Red Raiders should be able to score plenty as well as have one of the better offenses in the league.
What we think now: Uggh.Seriously? Tech trailed in the second quarter and was only up 21-16 at halftime. Not exactly the right way to strike fear into the rest of the Big 12 by piddling around with FCS Central Arkansas. Webb is a capable quarterback â he threw for 452 yards, but the defense gave up more than 400. Blame it on the rust of a new season, I guess.
Conventional wisdom says: Tech loses style points, at the very least. Lubbock is supposed to be a tough place to play. Sure doesn't seem like it after one week.
Nov. 22 vs. Kansas
Last week: The Jayhawks didn't play, which by all accounts, has to go down as a win.
What we think about Kansas this season: Not too much. Anything other than a last-place finish in the Big 12 would likely be a surprise.
What we think now: You wouldn't think you'd learn much by playing Southeast Missouri State, but then again, this is Kansas. There's plenty to take from any game.
Conventional wisdom says: The Sooners will be deep into their reserve players by halftime.
Dec. 6 vs. Oklahoma State
Last week: OSU fell to Florida State in Dallas, 37-31.
What we thought about OSU coming in: This isn't going to be a good year in Stillwater, Okla. The Cowboys are down a quarterback and more than a few seniors who helped the team last season come within a game of winning the Big 12 Conference. And it doesn't help to have to start against the defending national champions.
What we think now: OSU distinguished itself last week in Dallas and had a chance to win against the Seminoles. If J.W. Walsh can somehow play at the level he did and if the Cowboys can find a way to get Tyreek Hill (106 combined rushing/receiving yards) the ball a lot more, OSU might be better than what we originally gave them credit for.
Conventional wisdom says: OSU will be better, but winning in Norman is still a lot to ask. Things do look a lot tougher for the Sooners in this spot, though.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
