Oklahomas Going Bowling

​It's that time of year when the media begins predicting college football bowl games, and that just gets me excited. There were a few common predictions for the Oklahoma Sooners, and one prediction that excites me for what could be in Venables' second year. Below are a few predictions and their sources for where the Sooners will finish out the 2023 campaign. 

Yahoo: Alamo Bowl vs. Oregon State
USA Today: Alamo Bowl vs. Oregon State
On3: Alamo Bowl vs. Arizona
Bleacher Report: Alamo Bowl vs. Arizona
Fox Sports: Cotton Bowl vs. Alabama

The biggest shocker to me was Fox Sports putting the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl against Alabama. A lot has to happen to get there, but it is possible. First and foremost, we have to win this weekend against TCU. If we can't do that, then there's no way we can make it to the Big XII Championship. Next, either Oklahoma State or Texas has to lose, then we are in. If those two things happen, we have to win the Big XII game, which will make for a fantastic game regardless of whether we play Texas or Oklahoma State. Texas will be out for blood, and Oklahoma State and their punk of a Coach will look to ensure the last game played between OU and OSU is a win for the Cowboys. So, there is a path to a NY6 Bowl game, but it is statistically the least likely scenerio. 

If we don't make a NY6 Bowl game, I can be happy with an Alamo Bowl appearance because, in my first season as an Oklahoma fan, the Sooners went on to beat #14 Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. Both likely opponents, Oregon State and Arizona, have a 1-1 record against the Sooners, with the most recent game played against Arizona in 1989. That's a long time without seeing a team, which is why I like Alamo Bowl. It gives us a matchup we haven't seen and will likely not see for a long time. 

I'd love Oklahoma to finish this season with a NY6 Bowl win against Alabama. It would be a "We're here" moment for the program as we transition to the SEC. Oklahoma is coming. Oklahoma will be competitive. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.