There’s a real chance Oklahoma could be competing for a spot in the new and improved 2024 College Football Playoff this season. They have the defensive stars and a five-star quarterback with huge potential, but questions remain on the offensive line and the Sooners will face much better competition now that they’ve joined the SEC. OU has been projected by most to finish in the middle of the pack of the Southeastern Conference, but this team will have plenty of chances to put their new opponents on notice. In that spirit, here are four of Oklahoma’s toughest games in 2024.
The Toughest Games on Oklahoma’s 2024 Schedule
Red River Rivalry
Texas is not just going to be one of the best teams in the SEC next season, but one of the best in the entire country. They will certainly be a top-five team once the AP preseason rankings are released and they have all the pieces to be a title contender again. But don’t think Oklahoma will let that faze them, especially after upsetting Texas last year thanks to a masterful game-winning drive by Dillon Gabriel.
The Longhorns have talent up and down their depth chart and are led by a probable first-round pick in quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorn offense did lose five key skill players to the NFL in Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Worthy, and Jonathon Brooks. But they also brought in loads of talent from the portal, highlighted by Isaiah Bond, a receiver from Alabama. Texas’ defense also lost a lot of talent but will be led by the talented linebacker, Anthony Hill, who was a freshman All-American in 2023. This year’s Red River Rivalry is setting up to be another great game.
Home Against Alabama
Despite losing the greatest coach of all time during the offseason, the Crimson Tide have reloaded under Kalen DeBoer and still look like a juggernaut. Seeing Alabama’s name on the schedule might not strike fear into programs the way it did before, but Jalen Milroe is one of the most dynamic players in the country and ‘Bama has too much talent to not be taken seriously.
On the bright side, the Sooners will host this game, which might be the only thing that makes this game slightly easier than playing Texas. But that’s not to say OU will roll the Tide. Oklahoma has struggled with running quarterbacks in the past, and Milroe is going to make some explosive plays in this game. On the defensive side of the ball, Alabama lost two great defensive linemen and two star corners to the NFL draft as well as one of the best defensive players in the country, Caleb Downs, to Ohio State. But both Malachi Corley (safety) and Deontae Lawson (linebackers) are back for another season and will anchor a very stout Tide defense. The Sooners will have their hands full when Alabama comes to town on November 23.
Home Against Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin, the self-declared Portal King, truly earned that title this offseason. He brought in high-end talent at nearly every position, including five-star defensive lineman Walter Nolen, four-star edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, and former Sooner Key Lawrence. Paired with Jaxson Dart and the Rebels’ potent offense, OU will have its hands full when they travel to Vaught Hemingway Stadium on October 26.
If things break right for Dart and Ole Miss, he could easily be in the running for Heisman, especially considering the weapons he has at receiver: Tre Harris, transfer Juice Wells, and Jordan Watkins. Despite losing arguably the best back in the sport, Quinshon Judkins, to Ohio State, Ole Miss has a great running game with Ulysses Bentley IV and Henry Parrish. On the defensive side of the ball, star defensive end Jared Ivey returned for his senior season and helped form one of the best d-lines in the country. Given Oklahoma’s questionable offensive line, the Sooners could really struggle against the Rebels.
Other Notable Matchups
The SEC did Oklahoma no favors with their schedule in 2024. Aside from the games already mentioned, they also have to play road games at Auburn, Missouri, and LSU and home games against Tennessee and South Carolina. Essentially every game in the Sooners’ new conference is going to be tough and next season could present some real challenges for Oklahoma. But every game will also be a great way to see just how well Jackson Arnold and the rest of the team develop.
Main Image: RYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
