Oklahoma Football: Ranking Sooners’ 2020 opponents by toughness

It could be argued that Oklahoma State is the biggest threat to Oklahoma in the Big 12 this season and the Cowboys — assuming no players boycott — bring back their top three offensive players. Spencer Sanders is back at quarterback, Chuba Hubbard is back after rushing for 2,000 yards and Tylan Wallace is putting a season-ending injury behind him to pursue another 1,000-yard receiving season.

A battle of two potent offenses, this one will come down to who makes the most stops in the fourth quarter. If Oklahoma can make even one or two big stops late, the Sooners should win this one.

Oklahoma State will put up a fight here, though.

This is the game circled on every Oklahoma fan’s calendar. The Longhorns were thought to be “back” in 2019 according to Sam Ehlinger, but they took a step back and finished 8-5 with an Alamo Bowl win over Utah. Before the bowl game, the Longhorns went just 3-4 in their final seven regular season games, including a 34-27 loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout.

Tom Herman is hoping for a change in 2020.

Ehlinger is back and so is Keaontay Ingram and the Longhorns even brought in talented Michigan receiver transfer Tarik Black to the mix. That side of the ball won’t be an issue.

Like many other Big 12 teams, though, it’ll be the defense that causes some concern. This one may live up to its name and be a total shootout, but it’ll go down to the wire.