The Oklahoma Sooners are hosting the Maine Black Bears this weekend. While reeling from a three-game losing streak, Oklahoma is also undoubtedly looking toward the future. They need just two more wins to be eligible for a bowl game, the question is: Can they do it?
Oklahoma Sooners Bowl Game Projections
Maine Comes To Oklahoma
This weekend is the Sooners’ first opportunity to capture one of those two wins. Maine doesn’t represent the same kind of threat that an FCS team such as North Dakota State or Stephen F. Austin does, which is a breath of relief for many Sooners fans.
Head Coach Jordan Stevens will be leading the Maine Black Bears to Oklahoma. Carter Peevy, who led Mercer to the 2023 FCS playoffs, will be the starting quarterback. The Sooners are desperate for a win and will take anything they can get. Maine’s best bet is to play it safe because they’ll undoubtedly be the target for a lot of pent-up frustration.
Bowl Game Chances Slipping Away
The last time that the Oklahoma Sooners failed to reach a bowl game was in 1998. Head Coach John Blake, fresh off a defensive coaching stint with the Dallas Cowboys, led the Sooners to three straight losing seasons from 1995-1998. Then, in 1999, Bob and Mike Stoops, Mike Leach, and a young Brent Venables would turn Oklahoma’s fortunes around.
Unfortunately, the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners are trending closer and closer to their late 90’s counterparts. In 1998 the Sooners lost to Texas 34-3, just like they did this year. They were also plagued with injuries- just like this year. Ultimately, they ended that season with five wins and six losses. Now, amidst another losing streak and a sea of injuries, it’s looking like Oklahoma may find itself back in 1998 all over again.
Under Venables, the Sooners haven’t had a great run in bowl games, losing in both 2022 and 2023. Still, the fact is they’ve at least been able to make it to a bowl game. In an era where these bowls are everywhere, it may not mean as much as a Rose Bowl visit, but they’re still important. It’s an award to cap off the season, good or bad, and give some finality to the year. So, how can Oklahoma make a bowl game in 2024, and is it even possible?
How The Sooners Can Make It To A Bowl Game
Alabama, LSU, and Missouri are the final three opponents on the schedule this year. A shattering loss to Vanderbilt has the Alabama reeling, but Oklahoma is far and away below Vanderbilt’s skill this year. LSU is racing for a playoff spot, even if it’s on the outside. Missouri has been losing spots as slowly as possible in the Top 25.
Out of these three, Missouri is the weakest. Missouri possesses a great passing defense but is failing to contain the run game. This is a huge opportunity for an Oklahoma team lacking in passing ability. Missouri also just barely overcame Auburn in a come-from-behind victory. Oklahoma didn’t perform much better, but they at least kept Auburn further away.
Of course, it’s also on the road.
For some reason, Oklahoma decided the load up the end of the season with grueling road games. It’s a wonder they didn’t also sign up for a road game at current SEC leader Texas A&M. Amazingly, this might not impact the Sooners too badly, though, as they’ve already been booed out of their own stadium this year.
Oklahoma Sooners Bowl Game Possibilities
Oklahoma doesn’t just have to qualify, they have to get selected too. On the assumption that they do both, which game would they play in? There are exactly fourteen bowl games the Sooners could be eligible for. Four of those games are ones that, previously, hosted Pac-12 teams. Given that the Pac-12 is now the Pac-2 and, also, not really a conference anymore, it’ll be up to someone to fill those gaps. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, what are the most likely games they could play in?
1. The Gasparilla Bowl/Union Home Mortage Bowl
This is the type of bowl game for teams that have ended middling seasons, usually with a record around 6-6. That’s exactly the type of season Oklahoma has had. Their most likely opponents? Georgia Tech, Boston College, or North Texas.
2. The Music City/TransPerfect Music City Bowl
This is the kind of bowl game for middling teams to clash against opponents who have just edged out a winning season. It’s also either a shootout or a shutout type of game, and the SEC usually makes an appearance here. Their most likely opponents? Michigan, Illinois, or maybe even Syracuse if they finish strong enough.
3. The Liberty Bowl/Autozone’s Liberty Bowl
This is one of those bowl games where the SEC and the Big 12 collide. It’s also where SEC teams go to die against rabid Big 12 schools. Oklahoma’s most likely opponent for this game? Colorado, TCU, and Texas Tech.
Conclusions
All of these projections are, of course, based on where we are now. It’s entirely possible that Oklahoma’s first year in the SEC could end as disastrously as it started. However, only time will tell. Until then, Last Word on Sports will be there, week to week, to bring you the most up-to-date news on all things Oklahoma Sooners.
Photo courtesy: NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
