By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

Oklahoma has had tougher rows to hoe than the one it will face this season. But that’s the thing about schedules: the games are hard to gauge until they’ve been played.

On paper, the Sooners’ slate looks like one where momentum can be built as they go along. They won’t face a ranked team until October. By then, OU should know if they have the talent to compete for another Big 12 and national championship.

Most say OU has lost too much talent from last year’s 12-1 squad to remain at college football’s apex.

OU coach Bob Stoops doesn’t put much stock in the opinions.

“It doesn’t really matter to me whether we are picked favorites or not,” he said. “You know, we have been in both situations and we found our way in other years to championships and other years where we have been picked favorites and not been. You have to earn your way.”

OU can start earning its way at 11 a.m. Saturday when TCU comes to Owen Field. It’s the first of three non-conference games the Sooners can use to gain their stride.

Tulsa comes to Owen Field Sept. 10 to cap the home portion of the non-conference schedule. The Sooners travel to the Rose Bowl Sept. 17 to take on UCLA.

None of those teams are ranked and only the Bruins, who finished 6-6 last season, are coming off a bowl game appearance. OU will be heavy favorites against the Horned Frogs and Golden Hurricane. Even the trip to UCLA is expected to yield a victory.

And September victories have become routine under Stoops. Since 1999, OU is 19-0 in September.

However, it’s October and November when the cream rises to the top. OU will have to win then if it wants to ascend in the polls.

The Sooners open conference play Oct. 1 when Kansas State visits Owen Field. That game will be the final prelude to OU’s biggest date on the calendar.

There’s a very bold circle drawn around Oct. 8 when OU and Texas meet in Dallas’ Cotton Bowl. The winner jumps into the driver’s seat for the Big 12 title and becomes a national title contender. The loser will be left on the outside looking in.

Even if the Sooners can claim a sixth straight victory over their Red River Rival, more land mines await.