It wasn't simply that the Oklahoma Sooners lost to Missouri on Saturday night. It was the way they lost. They watched a lead at halftime disappear. Then, the Sooners tied it up late and took the lead on a fumble returned for a touchdown.

The Oklahoma Sooners' next game this weekend against the Missouri Tigers just became the biggest game of the Brent Venables era. I know, it seems crazy to say that, but this team needs a win to make going to a bowl game realistic,

The Sooners started the week as a 4-point underdog but are now 3-point favorites and have been largely undaunted in SEC road games so far, and Columbia is no more of a snake pit than Oxford or Auburn.

The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Missouri Tigers for the 97th time in a history that dates back to 1902. The Sooners are 67-25-4 all-time against the Tigers, but that will have no bearing on this game.