College Football Rankings 2011: 5 Games That Will Test Oklahoma’s No. 1 Ranking – Bleacher Report
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Enjoy it while you can, Oklahoma fans. Your beloved Sooners may be No. 1, but nothing in college football should be taken for granted. Especially, of course, a No. 1 ranking.
For now, the bright side is that the Sooners definitely look like a No. 1 team. They opened the season with an easy one against Tulsa, but there is something to be said about the fact that they really did make it look easy. Landry Jones passed for 375 yards, Ryan Broyles caught 14 passes, and the Sooners won 47-14.
Needless to say, they won’t all be that easy. The Sooners have some tough games ahead of them, and there are five that I think will truly put their No. 1 ranking to the test.
For your convenience (and arguing fodder), they are listed below.
5. At Texas, October 8
It’s not every day that the Texas Longhorns come up with an under-the-radar victory, but that’s a good way to describe their season-opening 34-9 win against Rice.
If one thing was made obvious, it’s that the Longhorns are not as terrible as they were last year. A balanced offensive attack allowed them to gain over 500 yards against Rice, and Texas’ defense enjoyed an easy day at the office.
The point as far as the Sooners are concerned is that the Longhorns are certainly not going to be a pushover when they pay a visit Austin early next month. Oklahoma will be on upset alert.
4. Vs. No. 8 Texas A&M, November 5
The Sooners will be looking for revenge when they face Texas A&M in early November, as the Aggies beat them 33-19 last season. The loss all but killed Oklahoma’s national title hopes.
But it’s not going to be any easier to beat the Aggies this year. In fact, it’s going to be much harder. We’re talking about a legit Top 10 team with a legit quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and a defense with eight returning starters.
This would be the same defense that beat Oklahoma with a series of goal-line stands in last year’s meeting.
3. At Baylor, November 19
Oklahoma’s strength is its offense. Baylor’s strength is also its offense. When these two teams get together, it therefore stands to reason that the scoreboard is going to be put to the test.
And it will. Jones and Robert Griffin III should have quite the duel in this matchup, and the game itself could very well come down to which team scores last.
Note: the Bears have already won a game like that this season. They’ll know what to do.
2. At No. 6 Florida State, September 17
Sooners fans probably don’t need to be told that this one’s not going to be easy. Oklahoma destroyed Florida State in this matchup last year, but we’re talking about a much different Seminoles team.
For one, Florida State’s defense is one of the best units in the country. It is going to make it tough on Jones and co. to rack up points, which in turn will allow the Seminoles offense to keep pace.
Oh, and it’s on the road. A big test early for the Sooners.
1. At No. 9 Oklahoma State, December 3
For my money, last year’s Bedlam game was the second-most entertaining game of the 2010 season behind only Boise State vs. Nevada. The Sooners and Pokes kept the offense coming, and it didn’t stop until the Sooners had a 47-41 win.
This year, I wouldn’t be surprised if the exact same thing happened. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Pokes came out on top this time around.
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