12. Oklahoma vs Houston
Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen has become a familiar name to most in the football world, and he (and likely, his Red Bull) will make their debut for the Cougars against an Oklahoma team fueled by former SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hurts.
The Cougars will be going up against an exceptionally tough schedule, but look promising coming off of a solid 8-5 season. Their schedule may be tough, but with Holgorsen at the helm, and the return of D’Eriq King from injury, things could be looking up for the Houston program. What better way to start an up-turn than toppling a former CFB Playoff team?
Oklahoma, led by Heisman winner Kyler Murray and a score of offensive weapons, fell to the hands of eventual National Championship runners-up Alabama to end their season in the Orange Bowl. It was a close game, but the Sooners dropped out. After losing Murray to the NFL Draft, they landed grad transfer Hurts, who could provide a huge boost to a team that looks like a possible championship contender. The Sooners also lost star receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, but return a dynamic receiving threat in junior CeeDee Lamb, and have leading rushers Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks coming back as well.
If the defense, under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, can shore up some holes via his experience in scheming against spread offenses, the overwhelming talent on offense (yes, even with the departure of Heisman winners Murray and Baker Mayfield in two consecutive seasons) could send this team on a collision course with the College Football Playoff once again.