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Oklahoma vs Florida Atlantic: Sept. 1
Oklahoma opens its season with a high-profile matchup against Lane Kiffin and the Owls. FAU is coming off one of its best seasons in school history, and a former Sooner (Chris Robison) is in the quarterback room. Devin Singletary will be one of the best running backs OU faces this season, and a terrific first test for the linebacking combo of Kennth Murray and Caleb Kelly. But the Sooners have too much talent and depth to fall prey to the Owls.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 52, Florida Atlantic 21
Oklahoma vs UCLA: Sept. 8
The Sooners will be among the first teams in the country to face new UCLA coach Chip Kelly. Oklahoma hosts the Bruins in Week 2 this year and will travel to Los Angeles in 2019 — perhaps then UCLA will provide a tougher test. Kelly's offense is legendary, but he doesn't have the horses to run it at full go right off the bat. With Josh Rosen in the NFL, UCLA has a wide-open quarterback competition this fall, and with much less promising prospects than Kyler Murray or Austin Kendall. This one will be entertaining, but not necessarily close.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 45, UCLA 31
Oklahoma at Iowa State: Sept. 15
Oklahoma won't have to wait long for a chance to avenge its lone conference loss from a season ago. The Sooners travel to Ames, Iowa, in Week 3 and will try to put to rest some of the demons from a season ago. The coach-quarterback duo of Matt Campbell and Kyle Kempt isn't sneaking up on anyone this year, so Oklahoma should be ready despite the early road test. Iowa State also played the Sooners tough in 2016 in Ames, holding them to a conference-low 34 points. This won't be easy, but Riley should have more than enough bulletin-board material to make sure his team is motivated and focused for this one.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 34, Iowa State 27
Oklahoma vs Army: Sept. 22
It's been awhile since the Sooners have had to prepare for a triple option team, but that's exactly what they'll do later on this fall when Army comes to Norman. This will be the most unique game Oklahoma plays all year, and it's possible Riley tries to counter Army's ball-control offense with a running game of his own. Look for Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon to play big roles in this matchup — a potentially low-scoring affair that should end in a Sooners' win.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 31, Army 20
Oklahoma vs Baylor: Sept. 29
Baylor is the early pick for most improved team in the Big 12, and it's easy to see why. The combination of quarterback Charlie Brewer and receiver Denzel Mims should strike some fear into opposing defenses, and it will likely give the Sooners some trouble again this year. The duo put a scare into Oklahoma last season in Waco, and nearly pulled off a remarkable upset. This year, with the game in Norman, it's tougher to envision that kind of showing from the Bears. But bowl eligibility is on the table for Matt Rhule's squad in Year 2, and Oklahoma shouldn't take them lightly.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 51, Baylor 35
Oklahoma vs Texas: Oct. 6
The first Saturday in October brings us the annual Red River Rivalry. With it this season may come questions concerning the job status of Tom Herman, or it might come with the ultimate existential question — is Texas really back? The Longhorns will have already played the toughest part of their scheduled when they face Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, including matchups against Maryland, USC, TCU and Kansas State. Only one thing is certain after last year's contest: If Sam Ehlinger is on the field, Texas has a chance.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 35, Texas 31
Oklahoma at TCU: Oct. 20
The Sooners will have a BYE week before facing off against the Horned Frogs, and they might need it. TCU coach Gary Patterson will be highly motivated after the Sooners cruised past his defense twice last season, including a 41-17 win in the Big 12 Championship. Like Oklahoma, TCU will be moving forward with a new quarterback in 2018. However, the Horned Frogs have several other elite players that could give Oklahoma trouble. TCU probably has the second most talented roster in the conference behind Oklahoma, and this game being played in Fort Worth could swing things away from the Sooners.
Score prediction: TCU 41, Oklahoma 37
Oklahoma vs Kansas State: Oct. 27
Oklahoma needed a dramatic touchdown by Rodney Anderson to defeat the Wildcats a year ago, but it's hard to see similar struggles in 2018. Bill Snyder's squad will be tough and fundamentally sound, but the Sooners have too much speed and depth to slip up at home vs the Wildcats. To top it off, K-State's quarterback issues are as prevalent as ever.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 41, Kansas State 20
Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Nov. 3
Two years ago, Lubbock saw one of the most prolific offensive games in the history of college football. Defenses were ignored as Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes threw touchdown after touchdown, torching most of the nation's previous high-water marks for passing yards and points. 2018 will be a different story — both Oklahoma and Texas Tech's defenses have improved, while the Red Raiders' offense has question marks — but look for a similar result.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State: Nov. 10
Speaking of offensive outbursts — Oklahoma's matchup with the in-state rival Cowboys could feature significantly fewer fireworks than a season ago. The Sooners prevailed 61-51 in Stillwater in 2017, but now Mason Rudolph and James Washington play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. OSU has no heir apparent at quarterback, although true freshman Spencer Sanders is a promising prospect. It's possible Mike Gundy's squad will be fighting for bowl eligibility in this game, but getting to six wins will likely have to wait another week.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 48, Oklahoma State 34
Oklahoma vs Kansas: Nov. 17
Unless the Jayhawks end this streak earlier in this season, Kansas will enter this game without having won a road game since 2009. KU hasn't beaten Oklahoma since 1997. Kyler Murray might not shake the captains' hands, either.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 56, Kansas 13
Oklahoma at West Virginia: Nov. 23
The Sooners will travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia on the Friday before Thanksgiving in a battle that could ultimately determine who represents the conference a week later in Arlington. Oklahoma's margin of victory has steadily grown from 1 to 28 in the six years since WVU joined the Big 12, but Will Grier has the arm talent to make things a little closer. How close? It depends on West Virginia's record at this point in the season. If WVU is fighting for a Big 12 title, it will give the Sooners all they want and more in this matchup. But if this game only means something to Oklahoma, it could be just like two years ago — a wildly entertaining blowout. Smart money is on the latter.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 48, West Virginia 31
Final regular season record prediction: 11-1
Oklahoma vs Florida Atlantic: Sept. 1
Oklahoma opens its season with a high-profile matchup against Lane Kiffin and the Owls. FAU is coming off one of its best seasons in school history, and a former Sooner (Chris Robison) is in the quarterback room. Devin Singletary will be one of the best running backs OU faces this season, and a terrific first test for the linebacking combo of Kennth Murray and Caleb Kelly. But the Sooners have too much talent and depth to fall prey to the Owls.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 52, Florida Atlantic 21
Oklahoma vs UCLA: Sept. 8
The Sooners will be among the first teams in the country to face new UCLA coach Chip Kelly. Oklahoma hosts the Bruins in Week 2 this year and will travel to Los Angeles in 2019 — perhaps then UCLA will provide a tougher test. Kelly's offense is legendary, but he doesn't have the horses to run it at full go right off the bat. With Josh Rosen in the NFL, UCLA has a wide-open quarterback competition this fall, and with much less promising prospects than Kyler Murray or Austin Kendall. This one will be entertaining, but not necessarily close.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 45, UCLA 31
Oklahoma at Iowa State: Sept. 15
Oklahoma won't have to wait long for a chance to avenge its lone conference loss from a season ago. The Sooners travel to Ames, Iowa, in Week 3 and will try to put to rest some of the demons from a season ago. The coach-quarterback duo of Matt Campbell and Kyle Kempt isn't sneaking up on anyone this year, so Oklahoma should be ready despite the early road test. Iowa State also played the Sooners tough in 2016 in Ames, holding them to a conference-low 34 points. This won't be easy, but Riley should have more than enough bulletin-board material to make sure his team is motivated and focused for this one.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 34, Iowa State 27
Oklahoma vs Army: Sept. 22
It's been awhile since the Sooners have had to prepare for a triple option team, but that's exactly what they'll do later on this fall when Army comes to Norman. This will be the most unique game Oklahoma plays all year, and it's possible Riley tries to counter Army's ball-control offense with a running game of his own. Look for Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon to play big roles in this matchup — a potentially low-scoring affair that should end in a Sooners' win.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 31, Army 20
Oklahoma vs Baylor: Sept. 29
Baylor is the early pick for most improved team in the Big 12, and it's easy to see why. The combination of quarterback Charlie Brewer and receiver Denzel Mims should strike some fear into opposing defenses, and it will likely give the Sooners some trouble again this year. The duo put a scare into Oklahoma last season in Waco, and nearly pulled off a remarkable upset. This year, with the game in Norman, it's tougher to envision that kind of showing from the Bears. But bowl eligibility is on the table for Matt Rhule's squad in Year 2, and Oklahoma shouldn't take them lightly.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 51, Baylor 35
Oklahoma vs Texas: Oct. 6
The first Saturday in October brings us the annual Red River Rivalry. With it this season may come questions concerning the job status of Tom Herman, or it might come with the ultimate existential question — is Texas really back? The Longhorns will have already played the toughest part of their scheduled when they face Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, including matchups against Maryland, USC, TCU and Kansas State. Only one thing is certain after last year's contest: If Sam Ehlinger is on the field, Texas has a chance.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 35, Texas 31
Oklahoma at TCU: Oct. 20
The Sooners will have a BYE week before facing off against the Horned Frogs, and they might need it. TCU coach Gary Patterson will be highly motivated after the Sooners cruised past his defense twice last season, including a 41-17 win in the Big 12 Championship. Like Oklahoma, TCU will be moving forward with a new quarterback in 2018. However, the Horned Frogs have several other elite players that could give Oklahoma trouble. TCU probably has the second most talented roster in the conference behind Oklahoma, and this game being played in Fort Worth could swing things away from the Sooners.
Score prediction: TCU 41, Oklahoma 37
Oklahoma vs Kansas State: Oct. 27
Oklahoma needed a dramatic touchdown by Rodney Anderson to defeat the Wildcats a year ago, but it's hard to see similar struggles in 2018. Bill Snyder's squad will be tough and fundamentally sound, but the Sooners have too much speed and depth to slip up at home vs the Wildcats. To top it off, K-State's quarterback issues are as prevalent as ever.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 41, Kansas State 20
Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Nov. 3
Two years ago, Lubbock saw one of the most prolific offensive games in the history of college football. Defenses were ignored as Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes threw touchdown after touchdown, torching most of the nation's previous high-water marks for passing yards and points. 2018 will be a different story — both Oklahoma and Texas Tech's defenses have improved, while the Red Raiders' offense has question marks — but look for a similar result.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State: Nov. 10
Speaking of offensive outbursts — Oklahoma's matchup with the in-state rival Cowboys could feature significantly fewer fireworks than a season ago. The Sooners prevailed 61-51 in Stillwater in 2017, but now Mason Rudolph and James Washington play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. OSU has no heir apparent at quarterback, although true freshman Spencer Sanders is a promising prospect. It's possible Mike Gundy's squad will be fighting for bowl eligibility in this game, but getting to six wins will likely have to wait another week.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 48, Oklahoma State 34
Oklahoma vs Kansas: Nov. 17
Unless the Jayhawks end this streak earlier in this season, Kansas will enter this game without having won a road game since 2009. KU hasn't beaten Oklahoma since 1997. Kyler Murray might not shake the captains' hands, either.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 56, Kansas 13
Oklahoma at West Virginia: Nov. 23
The Sooners will travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia on the Friday before Thanksgiving in a battle that could ultimately determine who represents the conference a week later in Arlington. Oklahoma's margin of victory has steadily grown from 1 to 28 in the six years since WVU joined the Big 12, but Will Grier has the arm talent to make things a little closer. How close? It depends on West Virginia's record at this point in the season. If WVU is fighting for a Big 12 title, it will give the Sooners all they want and more in this matchup. But if this game only means something to Oklahoma, it could be just like two years ago — a wildly entertaining blowout. Smart money is on the latter.
Score prediction: Oklahoma 48, West Virginia 31
Final regular season record prediction: 11-1
