º£½ÇÉçÇø

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma is coming off a devastating loss to Kansas that dealt a serious blow to the Sooners’ College Football Playoff hopes. Yet, all hope is not lost in Norman, particularly with what’s ahead. The Sooners began the season a perfect 7-0, but the writing was on the wall that a loss might be coming after a last-minute, four-point victory over Texas, and a narrow two-point win at home over UCF. Finally, Oklahoma’s magic ran out on Saturday as Kansas scored in the last minute for a 38-33 win over the Sooners.

While what had been an up-and-coming defense has shown its vulnerabilities as of late, Oklahoma remains a true threat on the other side of the ball with the seventh-ranked total offense in the country that puts up just shy of 490 total yards per game. The Sooners also have a top-five scoring offense while racking up nearly 42 points a contest behind senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel who has been terrific this season, throwing for 2,302 yards, 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions with a 71.4% completion rate. 

Gabriel may very well be the best signal caller in the Big 12 right now, and will have every opportunity to lead the Sooners to the Big 12 Championship game with remaining contests against Oklahoma State, West Virginia, BYU and TCU. The road contest against the Cowboys will be tough, but if the Sooners get by that one, a Big 12 championship, and perhaps a chance at a College Football Playoff berth, will be in their sights.