Oklahoma's Tough November Stretch Will Make or Break Their Season

Oklahoma is set for it's first College Gameday match up since 2012 when they travel to Waco, Texas to take on Art Briles and the undefeated Baylor Bears. The Sooners appear to be the hotter team at the moment after destroying four straight opponents, but the Bears have had their number three of the past four seasons. It appears as if Baylor and TCU have overtaken the Sooners as the "top dog" in the Big 12, but the next two weeks could really change that. Back to back wins over the next two weeks would put Oklahoma at 10-1 heading into a clash with potentially undefeated Oklahoma State in the final week of the regular season. A win in that game would more than likely propel the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.

If the Sooners lose one of the next three games, it will derail all the momentum this program has made this season. It would knock the Sooners out of playoff and Big 12 title contention as well. Then the Sooners would likely land a Alamo Bowl trip against USC or Utah. The Sooners would likely be highly ranked entering the 2015-16 season, with a huge home game against Ohio State on the schedule, so it wouldn't all be too bad for the program. They could also still finish higher than their preseason ranking of #19 even with a loss over the next three games, so it wouldn't mean complete chaos for the state of Oklahoma.

A loss in each of the next three games however, would really turn the city of Norman upside down. Another 8-5 season would be a disaster for coaches, players, and fans alike.

But considering Bob Stoops has never lost three games in a row, I wouldn't worry about it. The Sooners have a great opportunity ahead of them with a chance to reclaim the Big 12 title outright for the first time since 2010. Considering a one loss Oklahoma team was always in the national championship when just two teams made it, I really doubt they'll leave them out of a four-team playoff. But before the Sooners can worry about playoff seeding, they need to knock off undefeated Baylor on the road. Something they haven't done since 2010.

The win against Baylor would give the Sooners nine wins on the year, which would already top last years win total with three more games to go after that. It would also put OSU in the drivers seat of the Big 12, with TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma all already having a conference loss.

A one-loss TCU team would be next on the Sooners tough slate, with this one being the last home game of the season for Oklahoma. Texas Christian beat the Sooners last year in Fort Worth, 37-33. This Oklahoma team should be able to put up at least 40 on the Horned Frogs, but TCU is still dangerous with Treyvone Boykin as the leader of the offense. It may even be considered a trap game for the Sooners if they beat Baylor, because they might look ahead to potentially undefeated OSU. But if the Sooners win at Baylor and at home against TCU, then Bedlam will have bigger stakes than ever before because the winner of that game would make the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma State had trouble with the early part of their Big 12 schedule but remained undefeated after close calls against Texas and Kansas State. Oklahoma had their own fair share of trouble with Texas, but no other Big 12 team has kept it within less than 20 points. I'm not sure who would have the edge between 11-0 OSU and 10-1 Oklahoma, but I'd be shocked if Mike Gundy can beat Bob Stoops two years in a row.

In the offseason, the two games before Bedlam looked like the hardest on the schedule but if the Cowboys can keep up their level of play then OSU will be their toughest opponent they face all season. Especially in Stillwater, where the Cowboys are most dangerous. A win there would be a huge resume building win for the Sooners, similar to Ohio State's win over Wisconsin last season that put them in the playoff. A replication of Ohio State's 2014 season would be great, but it all starts this weekend in Waco. Win in Waco, then we can talk playoffs.