Who is Next Season's Toughest Opponent

Who is our toughest opponent next year?

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#1
Rifleman

Rifleman

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#1
Since a lot can happen between now and Fall 2014, it is probably too early to make any predictions about wins and losses. Instead, I thought it might be interesting to rank our 2014 opponents from toughest to weakest and get Volnation to weigh in and discuss who they think will be the toughest to beat.

I am including what I think the baseline national rankings for each opponent should be as well. This is where I think that team will end up if they simply perform to expectations, i.e. they don't over- or underachieve.

1. Alabama - Top 5 caliber opponent
2. Oklahoma - Top 10
3. Missouri - Top 15
4. South Carolina - Top 15
5. Georgia - Top 20
6. Ole Miss - Top 25 - 30
7. Florida - Top 30
8. Vanderbilt - Top 40
9. Utah State - Top 60
10. Kentucky - Top 75
11. Arkansas State - Top 100
12. Chattanooga - Very Good FCS Team

Notes:
* It is quite possible that Oklahoma, having so many returning on defense, will be better than Bama next year. I give Bama the edge due their unreal program depth.

* Mizzou should be strong again on offense as Mauk is quite capable of stepping in and winning.

* South Carolina loses some key pieces. It will be interesting to see if that program is at the point where they simply reload.

* Georgia and Florida are real wild cards. After disappointing seasons, can either team simply hop back to the top as Auburn did? If they do, Coach Jones will have to dust off the old "toughest schedule ever" chestnut.

* This is a huge year for Ole Miss. Are they going to matter in the SEC West or be an also ran? Can they at least beat State? Why do they have to play at Vandy for a second year?

* Will James Franklin abandon ship in Nashville?

* Will Utah State pull in some Jucos and stay at the same level as this year? If so, tough game to start the year. We have to win it regardless.
 
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#2
#2
I would argue Oklahoma since its an away game and Bama is losing AJ. They may replace him with someone better and make another run, who knows. Just my thoughts though
 
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#3
#3
I chose Alabama because of their depth, but playing Oklahoma in Norman may be an equal or greater challenge.
 
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#5
#5
I think it's always going to be Bama until we become perennially good enough to have a legit chance to knock them off each year. Geez I hate them.
 
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#7
#7
In a way Bama did us a favor by getting spanked by the Sooners. First off, it was funny watching the Bammer fans sulk. I mean really funny. Second, OU got to exorcise any angst about the SEC getting placed on too high of a pedestal.

Had Bama come in and crushed OU, everyone would have been making fun of Stoops for 9 months for taking pot shots at the SEC and that humiliation would have been focused back on us as an SEC opponent.

As it is, all OU is gonna to hear all year is how great they are and how they should be title contenders. We all remember teams at UT who came in believing the talk and fell flat on their faces. I think we sneak in there are play them a lot tougher than expected because of that dynamic.
 
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#10
#10
VOL'in said:
I chose Alabama because of their depth, but playing Oklahoma in Norman may be an equal or greater challenge.
Click to expand...

bammer' s cb depth issues were exposed vs. okie. Old nicky will address that problem in this recruiting cycle.
 
#11
#11
Rifleman said:
In a way Bama did us a favor by getting spanked by the Sooners. First off, it was funny watching the Bammer fans sulk. I mean really funny. Second, OU got to exorcise any angst about the SEC getting placed on too high of a pedestal.

Had Bama come in and crushed OU, everyone would have been making fun of Stoops for 9 months for taking pot shots at the SEC and that humiliation would have been focused back on us as an SEC opponent.

As it is, all OU is gonna to hear all year is how great they are and how they should be title contenders. We all remember teams at UT who came in believing the talk and fell flat on their faces. I think we sneak in there are play them a lot tougher than expected because of that dynamic.
Click to expand...

That okie freshman QB is better than any QB on our roster.:eek:hmy:
 
#14
#14
Special Ed said:
Oklabama
Click to expand...

10401d1329929906t-borderlands-2-launch-trailer-mother-god-meme-rage-face.jpg
 
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#16
#16
Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri & SC!!! I think playing in Norman will be the biggest challenge on their schedule. Alabama just doesn't seem the same over the last 2 games especially last night against Oklahoma and Bama losing so much talent they might struggle a little (If they don't get it together).

I also say South Carolina won't be an easy game they currently have an 18-game home winning streak that is the longest in the country. Their QB Dylan Thompson looked pretty good, not as good as Shaw but still really good.
 
#20
#20
Bama by far they were not ready to play last night, that was a insult to them playing in a little bowl like the Sugar, I hate the SOBs but that's how they look at it he is a smircking SOB but NICK plays for NCs instead of conference championships.
 
#21
#21
i think tennessee finally gets the monkey off its back this year, but i have to admit i am getting to the point where i believe tennessee has a better shot against the pittsburgh steelers than florida.
 
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#22
#22
Why all the concern about OK? Haslam is going to grab their coach and they will be a confused transition team.
 
#23
#23
Rifleman said:
Since a lot can happen between now and Fall 2014, it is probably too early to make any predictions about wins and losses. Instead, I thought it might be interesting to rank our 2014 opponents from toughest to weakest and get Volnation to weigh in and discuss who they think will be the toughest to beat.

I am including what I think the baseline national rankings for each opponent should be as well. This is where I think that team will end up if they simply perform to expectations, i.e. they don't over- or underachieve.

1. Alabama - Top 5 caliber opponent
2. Oklahoma - Top 10
3. Missouri - Top 15
4. South Carolina - Top 15
5. Georgia - Top 20
6. Ole Miss - Top 25 - 30
7. Florida - Top 30
8. Vanderbilt - Top 40
9. Utah State - Top 60
10. Kentucky - Top 75
11. Arkansas State - Top 100
12. Chattanooga - Very Good FCS Team

Notes:
* It is quite possible that Oklahoma, having so many returning on defense, will be better than Bama next year. I give Bama the edge due their unreal program depth.

* Mizzou should be strong again on offense as Mauk is quite capable of stepping in and winning.

* South Carolina loses some key pieces. It will be interesting to see if that program is at the point where they simply reload.

* Georgia and Florida are real wild cards. After disappointing seasons, can either team simply hop back to the top as Auburn did? If they do, Coach Jones will have to dust off the old "toughest schedule ever" chestnut.

* This is a huge year for Ole Miss. Are they going to matter in the SEC West or be an also ran? Can they at least beat State? Why do they have to play at Vandy for a second year?

* Will James Franklin abandon ship in Nashville?

* Will Utah State pull in some Jucos and stay at the same level as this year? If so, tough game to start the year. We have to win it regardless.
Click to expand...

Missouri's got to drop a bit more if they also lose Josey to the draft though.
 
#25
#25
i will say bama, OU and florida just because they are florida and until we beat them i wont predict a win.
 
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