I was wrong. I told you prior to last week's game against Maryland that the preseason was over. 

I thought Maryland would have provided the stiffest test to date for the Mountaineers. I was wrong. The Terps were not good. 

Now some of Maryland's struggles were certainly due to West Virginia. The Mountaineers were ready to play, executed well and were clearly the better team. 

That said, Maryland also contributed mightily to its own struggles. The Terps need to find a quarterback. No matter who they have tried at the position the result is the same…a turnover machine. Caleb Rowe threw four interceptions against West Virginia and Daxx Garman added another in relief. Until they find a competent quarterback, they will continue to really struggle. 

So, I was wrong last week. But, there is no doubt now. As West Virginia travels to Norman to take on Oklahoma today, we can say definitively, the "preseason" has ended. 

Oklahoma is a different animal from anything West Virginia has seen so far. Oklahoma at home takes it to a different level. 

Under current head coach Bob Stoops, the Sooners are 92-8 at home. Want more numbers? Oklahoma is 16-4 at home under Stoops against AP Top 25 teams. 

Moral of the story: it's hard to beat the Sooners in Norman. 

Silver lining: two of Oklahoma's four losses to top 25 teams happened last year (Kansas State and Baylor). Three of those eight home losses under Stoops came last year. History still isn't on the Mountaineers' side, but the odds are getting better.

Since joining the big 12, Oklahoma is one of only two programs West Virginia has not beaten (Kansas State is the other). However, all three games with Oklahoma have not only been close, but one could argue West Virginia SHOULD have won at least two of those and COULD have won all three. 

Vegas agrees this should be another close one. Oklahoma is favored by right around a touchdown or just under. 

What To Watch

Can West Virginia not only get pressure on Oklahoma quarterback, Baker Mayfield, but can they get him on the ground?

Mayfield is extremely "slippery." One of his best attributes is his ability to escape. You think you've got a clear shot on him and he somehow gets away and makes a play downfield with his arm or feet. 

Trevor Knight's struggles last year at quarterback, kept West Virginia in the game. Don't expect that again this year unless Mayfield spends significant time on his back. 

What To Watch II

Can West Virginia run the ball effectively? When Dana Holgorsen arrived in Morgantown much was made of his "Air-Raid" background. Pass-happy, throw first and run grudgingly was the scouting report on this offensive system.

We're now five years into Holgorsen's time as head coach and we've seen an evolution. Commitment to the run game is something that is not just coach-speak. At one point last week against Maryland, West Virginia had 297 yards passing and 297 yards rushing. Last year, West Virginia ran the ball about 55 percent of the time. Holgorsen is seeking balance offensively, not just talking about it. 

If this Mountaineer offense is going to put up points against the Sooners, it will need to show that balance again. Can West Virginia's offensive line control Oklahoma's front line? I thought West Virginia did as good a job up front last week against Maryland as it had done all season. The results backed up that assessment: 302 yards rushing and an average of nearly seven yards per carry.

Watch this match up early. If West Virginia's offensive line is getting a push up front and creating running lanes, it could be a long day for the Sooners.

What To Watch III

Turnovers. West Virginia leads the country in turnover margin at plus 9. Oklahoma is 117th nationally at minus 4. If this game is like the three other Big 12 match ups between the teams, it will be a close game. The average score in the three games since West Virginia joined the Big 12 is 37-30. What determines close games many times? Turnovers. If the current trends continue and West Virginia wins the turnover battle, the Mountaineers have to like their chances.

Who do you think gets the win today? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet: @bradhowe07.

Photo by Ben Queen taken during last week's WVU vs. Maryland game.