Sooners Football: Paul Finebaum talks Oklahoma defense

Scheduling has not been the SEC’s strength since expanding by two teams. Not just long-term, where there still has not been a decision made about playing eight or nine conference games per season. But for the next two years, schedules are not viewed as equal, at least from the outside.

For FOX’s Joel Klatt, the difference between Missouri and Oklahoma might be the most egregious. He does not view them “in the same hemisphere” over the course of eight games. Klatt sees an easier path to success for Eli Drinkwitz than the coaching staff in Norman.

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“If you’re Brent Venables, and anybody from OU, how do you look at your schedule and then you look at Missouri’s schedule and you’re like ‘Time out. Are we in the same league? What is going on?’ Look at those two schedules. They’re not in the same hemisphere. One might as well be a Group of Five schedule vs. an NFL schedule. They’re miles apart,” Klatt said.

Oklahoma kicks off SEC play on Saturday against Tennessee, the current No. 6 ranked team per the AP poll. Texas (ranked No. 1), Alabama (4), Ole Miss (5), Missouri (7), and LSU (16) will face the Sooners at one point this season.

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For comparison, the only current ranked matchups for Missouri outside of Oklahoma are Alabama and Texas A&M (currently No. 25). Quite a difference, at least on paper, heading into Week 4 of the season.

This could lead Missouri to have a bit of an inflated record, one potentially good enough to get into the College Football Playoff. On the flip, Oklahoma facing such a number of high-quality teams might lead to a few more losses than what Venables’ squad deserves in their first-ever SEC season.

“Missouri’s record is going to be better than their team,” Klatt said. “Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s record is going to be worse than their team.”

Next season might not be any better with the same scheduling playing out and the venues just flipped. A balance should come to the SEC beginning in 2026 once deciding the long-term future, setting permanent opponents, and making sure teams play each other every other year.

For now, Venables has quite the hill to climb against quality foes over eight games. Tennessee might wind up being one of the tougher challenges for his team, hoping to start their time in the SEC off with a statement victory.