The Oklahoma Sooners are on the road against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday. It’s been nearly fifteen years since these old Big 12 rivals clashed, but the stakes are just as high. Oklahoma is risking it all on the road against Missouri- and it may be the biggest game in the SEC this year.
Why The Oklahoma Sooners Must Win Against Missouri
The Legacy of the Oklahoma-Missouri Rivalry
Since the inception of college football, Oklahoma and Missouri have been going at it. From 1910 to 2011, the two have met in a home-and-home series nearly every year. The Big 12’s formation in 1995 interrupted that, due to the teams being placed in different divisions, but it didn’t stop the rivalry. In fact, some of their most contentious matchups were about to begin.
In October of 2002, an undefeated Oklahoma team barely overcame a 3-2 Missouri. On October 13th, 2007, an evenly matched Sooners and Tigers fought almost to a standstill until Oklahoma came back in the fourth quarter. They would later meet in that year’s Big 12 Championship- where Oklahoma would upset Missouri in spectacular fashion.
One year later, the two would clash in a rematch at the 2008 Big 12 Championship. Oklahoma, again, would smash Missouri aside. Finally, in October 2010, Missouri would end years of Oklahoma wins by just nine points. Most fans will remember this game for the Tigers faithful tearing down the goalposts after the victory. Over a decade later, it’s time for a Big 12 reunion in the biggest conference of all.
The Sooners’ Bowl Game Dreams
In a season of difficulties, there’s one last chance to salvage things. If Oklahoma can make it to a bowl game, any bowl game, they can claim this season was a worthwhile struggle. To put it simply, Sooners football hinges entirely on this rematch.
At 5-4, the Sooners are still holding on to a winning season- but just barely. One more win gives them bowl eligibility and could quiet the chorus of boos drowning out Gaylord Memorial Stadium. Perhaps more importantly, it also provides a much-needed boost to post-season recruiting. A developmental year or not, when a prestige team has their worst year in over two decades it makes recovering that much harder.
With the collapse of the Pac-12, there are even more bowl games that the Sooners could be eligible for. This means that, even if they can’t reach one of the big-name bowls, there’s still an opportunity. Between weekly injuries and the firing of their offensive coordinator, however, it’s certainly not going to be easy for the Sooners.
Injury Report for Oklahoma and Missouri
From week one to now, it seems like there’s been a new injury each week for Oklahoma. This includes some of their best players such as Nic Anderson, who has seen the field for all of one play this year, and offensive lineman Jacob Sexton. Anybody who has seen the offensive line this year knows that they can’t afford any losses, let alone one of their best linemen. The receiving core being so depleted has also severely limited Oklahoma’s playbook.
Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq are, once again, ‘questionable’ for Saturday’s game against Missouri. While this isn’t normally newsworthy, Jackson Arnold, the current starting quarterback for Oklahoma, has been unusually open about the possibility that they could return. Arnold’s optimism was unmistakable during post-practice interviews this week, stating to reporters, “We’re going into this week like, ‘Damn, we’ve got two of our studs back at receiver. We have had guys play great, but it’s like, you get two studs back, and it’s a big confidence boost for the offense.”
After tying up against Alabama in October, Missouri is now encountering its own wave of injuries. Brady Cook, the starting quarterback, is battling multiple injuries. Nate Noel, the leading rusher, is also questionable due to a foot injury received against Alabama. Mookie Cooper and Brayshawn Littlejohn, two of Missouri’s top receivers, are also out with injuries.
Oklahoma’s Last Must-Win Game
There’s no ‘second chance’ for the Oklahoma Sooners this late in the year. If they fail to overcome Missouri, the season is over. Alabama is reeling in Nick Saban’s shadow, but they’re still staffed by some of the best players in the nation. LSU is currently making a run for an outside spot in the playoffs– and they’ll have a home-field advantage. Even on the road, Missouri is Oklahoma’s easiest opponent this late into the season.
Historically, Oklahoma has dominated Missouri. The biggest wins in history, namely 2007 and 2008, also came with Brent Venables on staff. It’s not out of the question that he could stop the Tigers one more time. With some of Missouri’s best players out and a win over Maine behind Oklahoma, there will never be a better chance for Venables to claim that win.
It’s do-or-die time for the Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners. Whatever happens, you can be sure that Last Word On Sports will be first on the scene to recap the Sooners’ biggest game of the season.
