College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest Power Five schedules in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Last year Oklahoma was never seriously considered for the College Football Playoff despite winning the Big 12. A large part of that was losing twice, but their schedule could offer more scrutiny this year if they manage to go 12-1 with the revived Big 12 championship game. Though they play at Ohio State (11-2 in 2016) this year, the Sooners also open with UTEP (4-8) and follow the Buckeyes with Tulane (4-8).
On aggregate, their non-conference opponents finished last year barely above .500. The Big 12 schedule opens on September 23 at Baylor (7-6). In total the Sooners play six 2016 postseason participants , and the first four are all on the road. But Oklahoma has the luxury of playing both TCU (6-7) and the season finale against West Virginia (10-3) in Norman. November also provides the sacrificial trip to Lawrence to face Kansas (2-10) as well as Bedlam at Oklahoma State (10-3).
What this schedule does is once again provide Oklahoma with little margin for error. While an undefeated Sooners squad would certainly make the semifinals, even one loss is going to bring down scrutiny on the schedule strength for Bob Stoops’ crew.