It’s time to start planning those weekends for the fall. College football will be here soon and OSN has the schedule to get you around the state to see all the Oklahoma college teams play, while staying within the bounds of the Sooner State.
Map this one out today:
Sept. 1 – Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma
Start off the season in Norman. Many people like to cheer against Lane Kiffin and he’s bringing the Owls to Oklahoma to give those fans a chance to do up close and personally. It will be first opportunity in a while to see how the OU offense looks without Baker Mayfield at the helm, as likely Kyler Murray will get to step into the starting QB role (if he’s not playing Major League Baseball).
Sept. 8 – East Central at Southern Nazarene
There is a new coach in Ada as Al Johnson takes over the Tiger program. ECU has won three games in the last two years after five straight non-losing seasons. In Week Two, they will be taking on a Crimson Storm team with a program going in the right direction, having increased its win total from the year before in each of the last three seasons.
Sept. 15 – Southern Arkansas at Southwestern
Another team with a new coach in 2018 is Southwestern with Chet Pobolish now in charge in Weatherford. A win here would be big for the Bulldogs and could be a statement game as SAU has had their number since the inception of the Great American Conference. SWOSU has lost three straight to the Muleriders and is 1-6 against them since 2011.
Sept. 22 – Northwest Missouri at Central
It’s a matchup of historically good programs. The Bronchos are one of the winningest programs in Division II history with 627 all-time victories and the Bearcats have been among the best in recent years, going 64-5 in the last five years with three national championships. But it’s been lopsided in Edmond as UCO has never beaten NWMSU in Wantland Stadium in five previous matchups.
Sept. 29 – Navarro at NEO A&M
In his 10th season with the Golden Norsemen football staff, Zach Allen will be the head coach in 2018. As the run game coordinator last year, Allen helped lead the team to the top of the NJCAA list in total yards and a 9-3 record. NEO has split the last six meetings with Navarro and has gone 2-1 in Miami.
Oct. 6 – East Central at Northwestern
Let’s make sure there is a Homecoming stop. The Rangers hope to celebrate in Alva and a win over Tigers would be the third straight in the series. NWOSU has been steadily improving on the previous year’s win total each year since a 2-9 season in 2013.
Oct. 13 – Ouachita at Oklahoma Baptist
The Bison won 12 games in the first two years since reinstating football in Shawnee. But it’s been three straight 2-9 seasons for OBU in NCAA D-II competition. Oklahoma Baptist could use a mid-season victory over the “other Baptist school” in the GAC.
Oct. 20 – Arizona Christian at Oklahoma Panhandle
To be the best, you have to beat the best. The Aggies help to dethrone the two-time Central States Football League champions in 2017 with a win in Phoenix. But ACU comes to No Man’s Land this year with vengeance on the mind, as well as a new title for which to play. The CSFL was absorbed by the Sooner Athletic Conference and 2018 marks the first year for football in the league that will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this athletic year.
Oct. 27 – Arkansas Tech at Southeastern
Southeastern is the only Oklahoma D-II school to have a current streak of four straight winning seasons. But the Wonder Boys have been a thorn in the side of the Savage Storm with a 5-2 advantage since the formation of the GAC. Southeastern’s two wins have come at home and the Storm would like to pick a third straight over ATU in Durant.
Nov. 3 – Central at Northeastern State
The Bronchos own four straight victories in the battle for the President’s Cup. This was preceded by four consecutive wins for the RiverHawks. UCO has an 11-9 edge heading into what will be the 21st President’s Cup matchup and 79th meeting between the schools.
Nov. 10 – Oklahoma Panhandle at Langston
The move to NAIA paid dividends across the board for OPSU last year. The football team reached the 7-win plateau for just the second time since 1986. Meanwhile, Langston posted an undefeated regular season record and earned the right to host a playoff game for the first time in program history. This season finale in the Oklahoma A&M Showdown during Rivalry Week could be for the first-ever SAC championship.
Nov. 17 – West Virginia at Oklahoma State
It is always exciting when Dana Holgerson is in Stillwater. The former OSU offensive coordinator – there for only one season, but long enough to set many offensive records for the program, along with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon – Holgorsen brings to town an early Heisman candidate in quarterback Will Grier. Which of the QB’s in the Stillwater stable will have stepped up by this game to take the reins of the Cowboys’ offense?
Nov. 24 – SMU at Tulsa
It was a two-win season for the Hurricane in ’17, but there were a number of losses that came in the closing minutes of close games. The loss to SMU was one of those. Tulsa wasn’t bowl eligible last year after postseason appearances in the previous two years. Sophomore Luke Skipper could have a full season under his belt at the QB spot by this game. The season finale against the Mustangs could be for a chance to go bowling or more.