Oklahoma football schedule: The 1 potential trap game facing Sooners
By John Buhler
The Oklahoma football team could win the Big 12 for the seventh year in a row, as long as the Sooners avoid the potential trap game on their 2021 college football season schedule.
Lincoln Riley’s Oklahoma football program could be tested in Big 12 play this upcoming season.
Despite dropping a pair of conference games, the Sooners were able to avenge their road loss to the Iowa State Cyclones in the conference title bout. A win in Arlington punched the Sooners’ ticket to the Cotton Bowl where they absolutely slaughtered the Florida Gators. Oklahoma can win the Big 12 for the seventh year in a row, but stumbling in the proverbial trap game could hurt them.
Oklahoma football’s potential trap game for 2021 college season
When looking at Oklahoma’s schedule, the Sooners should have no problem beginning the year at 3-0 before conference play commences. Even if they have to play at Tulane, that should be a win over the Green Wave. The home opener vs. Western Carolina should be a cakewalk, and you know how amped up the Sooners are about hosting former Big 12 rival Nebraska in Norman on Sept. 25.
However, there is a chance Oklahoma begins Big 12 play in a 0-1 hole. There are three reasons why the West Virginia Mountaineers could play spoiler in the ultimate trap game. One, an Oklahoma letdown is possible after a big win over a former rival in Nebraska. Two, Oklahoma will want to avenge last year’s loss to Kansas State the following week. And three, WVU is very good.
West Virginia has one of the better defenses in the Big 12. Their head coach Neal Brown is on the verge of making West Virginia a perennial top-25 staple. If the defense holds steady and the offense takes the next step, West Virginia could be some variation of 2020 Iowa State or 2019 Baylor if everything goes accordingly for the Mountaineers. They feel like this year’s “pop” team.
Overall, rivalry games against Texas, Oklahoma State and now Iowa State no longer classify as trap games for the Sooners. You could say either TCU or Baylor might have what it takes to pull off a shocking upset, maybe even Texas Tech for all we know. However, West Virginia could very well be the third-best team in the Big 12 this season after Oklahoma and Iowa State in some order.
If WVU wins the turnover battle and can put up points offensively, they could shock Oklahoma.
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