But Oregon could augment Oklahoma's chances of appearing in a national championship game.
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Obviously not last season.
This season.
Following its 51-13 demolition of Miami on Saturday, OU moved up two spots to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, spurring talk among national analysts about OU playing for a national title.
But before they can play in it, the Sooners first must get there. California, Florida, Louisville, LSU, OU, Texas, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin all have realistic chances of making it to New Orleans.
After two weeks, however, LSU, OU and USC have positioned themselves ahead of the field.
Yet if the season ended today, the Sooners would be the best team watching the title game on television.
LSU would be facing USC.
OU needs help.
As of now, it doesn't appear help will be coming from anyone playing LSU.
The Tigers rolled to a 48-7 win over Virginia Tech, LSU's second-toughest opponent.
Even though LSU plays in the rugged SEC, the Tigers' schedule doesn't look so rugged.
Their most difficult road game? At unranked Alabama.
On Oct. 6, LSU plays defending champion Florida (the same weekend OU faces Texas), and if LSU gets past the Gators, count on the Tigers going undefeated (If Florida somehow upsets LSU, the Gators would just take LSU's spot, leapfrogging OU).
But USC's schedule doesn't appear as soft, thanks to a monstrous start by its Pac-10 opponents.
Road games at No. 14 Nebraska and No. 8 Cal and a home game against No. 11 UCLA will test USC's resolve.
But when OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables was asked which teams have impressed him thus far, he didn't speak of Nebraska, Cal or UCLA.
"I know LSU looks really good,” Venables said. "And I think Oregon looked really good.”
Coming off their impressive 39-7 thrashing of Michigan in Ann Arbor, do the Ducks in Eugene have the best chance of knocking off USC?
Quarterback Dennis Dixon has the Ducks rolling with the pass, where USC appears to be most vulnerable.
"Offensively, they looked fluid and efficient,” Venables said.
If OU keeps rolling, Sooner fans should put bad feelings behind them and cheer for the Ducks.
Even if last year's game still
stings.
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I think Mike is right as well...we need Nebraska to beat USC and we need the rest of the Big XII to win non-conference games in order to boost the conference and take advantage of the Big Ten being in a down year and the ACC never developing.
I think this is a great article. why? Because its what all of us OU fans are thinking about already and what we strive for at the start of every year - to get to the Nat'l Championship. Of course we are going to look at all the possible scenarios of what has to happen for us to get there. It makes the season more fun when you're rooting for those ranked higher to fall. As far as those saying it's too early in the season to tell how OU will do: Optimism people, optimism.
I disagree with this column. Florida may or could win the SEC east even with a loss at Death Valley. IF that happens they'll get a rematch with LSU or SEC west div champ at the Georgia Dome. By then FLA would be more polished on defense where their weakness is and could upset LSU. USC schedule is very difficult, if they run the table there's no way they'll miss the Sugar Bowl. Too early to tell. Hope that Miami wins it's divison in the ACC, or the championship(not likeley) if OU can run the table and NEB give USC a good game OU might have a small chance. (If neb does well in the North Divison.) Oregon, Washington, and Cal can beat USC. Dosen't mean they will but they could. The pollsters want to see LSU vs. USC to settle the old Sugar Bowl which honestly OU shouldn't had gone to for losing to KSU. As good as LSU, USC, and OU are it's way too early. They'll be some unplanned upsets if not....could be Karma from 03 when OU shouldn't have been in the Sugar Bowl. This is the best team OU has had in a few years, have to let it all play out.
This is a ridiculous conversation to be having the second week of september. Nobody can predict the next 10-11 games each of these teams will play. Any or all of the current top 3 could lose before the end of the season.
As far as the comment below me, Oregon hasn't beat anyone spectacular yet, however they looked very impressive in the game against Michigan. USC doesn't have a cakewalk through the PAC-10 by any means this year. The polls are great and all right now, but let's see what really happens when everyone stops playing cupcakes and get's into the meat of conference play and when the BCS/Harris polls come out. On a side note, it is fantastic that the nation is recongizing OU's outstanding play and talent by moving us up in the polls though. :)
I agree with Mark, the AP poll is irrelevant. But I think what we really need is Nebraska to beat USC. That would boost the image of the Big 12, which I think would help us. As far as Oregon they haven't done anything but beat a rebuilding Houston and an awful Michigan. And I think we need to only worry right now about Utah State, Tulsa, and a very dangerous trip to Boulder befor we think about tu.
Good article, and 100% accurate. OU has about a snowball’s chance of playing in the Championship unless LSU or SC looses. LSU probably has the easiest schedule any SEC team has ever had. They play Florida at home, and no Tennessee, South Carolina or Georgia this year. They’ll role through conference play. SC on the other hand hasn’t exactly set the world on fire so far. Hopefully someone in the Pac 10 will end their reign of terror.
First, why is anyone quoting the AP poll? It's completely irrelevant to who plays for the national title. We are ranked 5th, not 3rd. We might even be higher ranked when the Harris Poll comes out in a couple of weeks. Forget the AP. It means as much as it does in basketball.
At the same time, everyone needs to relax. There is a lot of football left and to be freaking out about how we may or may not get left out - while we've only played two games - is ridiculous. Let's beat Texas first and then we can start wondering. Until then, relax and enjoy the season because it will be over before we know it.
Bring on December Madness. Does anything think Appie State would want in Div I to go to the Rose Bowl when they have a playoff system to give them a shot at a National Championship?
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At the same time, everyone needs to relax. There is a lot of football left and to be freaking out about how we may or may not get left out - while we've only played two games - is ridiculous. Let's beat Texas first and then we can start wondering. Until then, relax and enjoy the season because it will be over before we know it.