Facing one of the toughest schedules across across college football this season, there was always a strong possibility for Brent Venables that if the Sooners got off to a hot start, November would ultimately determine his team's fate in the playoff conversation.

Saturday's comeback attempt against No. 8 Ole Miss came up just short, 34-26, No. 13 Oklahoma's second loss with four games left against teams currently slotted inside the AP poll's top 20. Oklahoma got off to a 5-0 start earlier this month but a loss to Texas was a precursor to what could happen when the offense failed to sustain drives, which showed up again in the loss to the Rebels.

Oklahoma (6-2) managed 342 yards of total offense and 13 downs, well below its season averages after most of the Sooners' production came

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