While I've been tough on the Oklahoma Sooners this year, I would not suggest this season has been a failure. Given that we had a new quarterback and that we had lost Adrian Peterson, a 10-2 record at this point is quite pleasant.

Given how quickly we started though and the opportunities we had late, such as against Texas Tech, there have been disappointments this season. True. But the year has largely been a big, big success.

(Still doesn't change my opinion of Venables.)

What Oklahoma has the opportunity to do on Saturday is win a Big 12 title, which would be its fifth since Bob Stoops arrived in Norman some nine seasons ago. The Sooners also have the chance to make a case for a spot in the BCS title game.

If West Virginia loses.

If LSU loses.

The first of these will not happen. West Virginia will massacre Pittsburgh, so let's just forget the what-might-have-been. Let's focus on a back-to-back Big 12 title, a championship I firmly believe Oklahoma will win on Saturday.

Even though Mizzou is No. 1, it's a soft No. 1. The only impressive win they have is Kansas, and I'm not convinced the Jayhawks are any better than Liberty Bowl material. Furthermore, Mizzou couldn't beat Oklahoma when it had the chance.

Oh, that's right. OU lucked out. That's what Missouri players said this week in preparation for the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game in San Antonio on Saturday. And, I think it was a big mistake.

Bob Stoops' Sooners have always reveled in the underdog role. Yes, Oklahoma is favored in this game, but given that Mizzou is No. 1 and talkin' smack, the Sooners can rightfully "feel" like the proverbial dog in this game.

Back in 2004, when Oklahoma last faced No. 1, the Sooners got drilled by USC, 55-19. However, that was a great Trojans team, one of the best of all time. Secondly, Oklahoma was No. 2 and feeling pretty cocky itself.

This is different. OU has nothing to lose in this game, nothing whatsoever. If the Sooners lose, they are headed to the Cotton Bowl and a game against Arkansas, and it will certainly be a better game than the 2002 snooze fest that saw OU beat the Hogs 10-3 and saw me sick as a dog trying to die in the Cotton Bowl stands.

If Oklahoma wins, they get Arizona State in the Fiesta Bowl, presuming Arizona State beats Arizona. If not, OU could get Hawaii. OU could get Georgia. Theoretically, OU could get Kansas.

However, what the Sooners are aiming for on Saturday is respect, and after two losses that brought our team's character into question -- and rightfully so -- Oklahoma has a lot to prove. Primarily a defensive challenge, will the Sooners be able to stop the Tigers at all?

The question, my friends, is will the Tigers be able to stop OU?

Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford has 32 touchdowns to 33 for Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel. But, Bradford also has two fewer interceptions. It brings a point to mind that Oklahoma fans will need to understand sooner rather than later.

Barring injury or suspension, Sam Bradford will likely be Oklahoma's greatest quarterback of all time when it's all said and done. Personally, give me Heupel. The guy was a total winner. For most people, it's Jason White, who is mechanically the best quarterback in Big 12 history.

And Bradford will be the difference in San Antonio.

Look, don't take my analysis here to contradict anything I said about the Tech loss. It all stands, and I firmly expect Oklahoma to give up between 30 and 45 points because we can't rush the quarterback, we can't cover people in open field and Daniel decides to throw to whomever Ryan Reynolds is covering.

However, even without DeMarco Murray, OU can name its score against Missouri. Expect Kevin Wilson to be super creative this week. Expect Oklahoma to go for the jugular. Expect Oklahoma to be the better team.

Again.

52-35.