Tough 2010 Schedule May Prove Too Much For Oklahoma To Overcome

You'd think that after finishing with the second ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to Scout.com, that Sooner fans would be excited for things to come.

But, what concern out of Norman is how Oklahoma lost out to rival Texas on just about every recruit both schools were after. Not only that but the Sooners didn't sign a single top 25 recruit. Notably, the No. 12 recruit in the nation, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (Plano, TX) whose sister had already signed to play basketball for Oklahoma, decided to sign with Texas on signing day.

Even though the Sooners may have lost out to some of the best that the state of Texas had to offer, it doesn't mean they didn't lose out nationally. Stoops signed running back Brennan Clay (San Diego, CA), defensive back Tony Jefferson (Chula Vista, CA), and running back Roy Finch (Niceville, FL).

One prospect that Stoops is very excited about is a quarterback he signed out of Wichita, KS. Blake Bell is a quarterback that MaxPreps.com ranks as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the nation. Bell is 6'6", 220 lbs and is not only an accurate passer, completing 66.6 percent of his passes during his senior season, but he is a dangerous run threat as well.

During his signing day press conference Stoops said of Bell, “[He] is a talented guy. When you look at his ability to throw the football, he is an excellent pocket quarterback, which is a staple of what we do. I also think Blake is more athletic than maybe any quarterback we have signed as far as being able to pull the ball down and run."

Now with all that being said, I couldn't possibly think that Oklahoma is in for a lackluster season right? Especially not after quarterback Landry Jones came in for the injured Sam Bradford and threw for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Unfortunately for you Sooner fans, that's exactly what I'm here to talk about.

During the 2009 regular season, the Oklahoma Sooners were 2-3 against teams ranked in the top 25 including losses to rival Texas, Miami, and BYU. Despite those losses, the Sooners finished in impressive fashion, shutting out Oklahoma State and picking up an impressive 31-27 win over Stanford in the Sun Bowl.

Their 2009 non-conference schedule included No. 20 BYU, Idaho State, Tulsa, and No. 17 Miami, teams with a combined record of 26-23. In 2010, Oklahoma will face Utah State, Florida State, Air Force, and Cincinnati, a combined 2009 record of 31-20, with three of those four coming at home.

I will give them wins against Utah State and Air Force but Florida State and Cincinnati could prove tougher than at first glance.

Though Florida State finished with their worst record since 2005, new head coach Jimbo Fisher came in and was able to land the best recruiting class in school history.

Florida State will return 16 starters, including 10 on offense, from their 2009 squad. Quarterback Christian Ponder will be at full strength when spring practice opens after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

Cincinnati had a stronger 2009 season than a lot of people thought they would, finishing the regular season unbeaten before getting run over by Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators 51-24 in the Nokia Sugar Bowl.

Like Florida State, the Bearcats will also begin the 2010 season under a brand new head coach. Butch Jones, who took over after Brian Kelly turned tail and ran to Notre Dame, brought in the No. 59 ranked recruiting class according to Rivals.com. Not overly impressive but not bad for a first year head coach of a school outside the big football conferences.

While Cincinnati will be missing Tony Pike, who left for the NFL, they will be in good hands with sophomore Zach Collaros. Collaros proved just as deadly in the passing game as Pike, throwing for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns including a 480-yard performance against UConn last season.

Heading out of non-conference play, the Sooners at best will be 2-2 but with Florida State far and a way better than the 7-6 2009 squad, they could land just one win in those four games.

Oklahoma won't have any time to rest after their road game against Cincinnati as they'll return home to get ready for Texas in the Red River Shootout, a game the Sooners have won just once in the last five years.

After their game against Texas, Oklahoma will have home games against Iowa State, Colorado, and Texas Tech and will be on the road against Missouri, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Oklahoma State.

There are three "show-me" games on Oklahoma's conference schedule, games that could decide where Oklahoma finishes in the Big 12...their rivalry game against Texas on Oct. 2, against Texas Tech at home on Nov. 13, and against Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Nov. 27.

Oklahoma struggled against both Texas and Texas Tech last season but dominated both Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. So how will the Sooners fair in all four of these games?

Though Oklahoma struggled in Lubbock against the Red Raiders in 2009, they dominated them at home in 2008, and though these two teams are different from the two previous seasons, Texas Tech will be just that much better this season, even in Norman.

So, even though Oklahoma on paper looks like they could be back on top of the Big 12 in 2010, the Sooners will finish behind both Texas and Texas Tech in the Big 12 South.