Oklahoma Sooners could be getting one of the biggest blessings a new SEC team could ask for with their ridiculous schedule

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to play an old Big 12 foe this weekend in the Houston Cougars, who were just demolished by the UNLV Rebels, a group of five team that is vying for that playoff spot by the season's end. This win is crucial, though, because of the schedule later down the line. They have one of the more daunting schedules in the league, so, handling Houston is something that has to happen given they are an easier opponent.

The Sooners should handle this team well, as the Cougars really aren't a great team. However, with the injuries they are dealing with, and the way college football is every week, you truly don't know how this week could play out. With the Sooners moving up in the ranking one spot to 15, they have to keep churning away at the bad part of their schedule until the hard part comes.

Against the Temple Owls, the Sooners sustained a few injuries. We know about Jalil Farooq breaking his foot , but some others happened as well. And of course, there were some injuries prior to that as well. With who this team is supposed to play this season, they will need everyone healthy and up to the standard that Brent Venables has. Luckily for them, reinforcement should be coming soon.

On Tuesday, head coach Brent Venables gave an update on the injuries that his football team is dealing with.

He started with the center, Branson Hickman.

"He actually looked remarkably good today," Venables said on his coaches show.

As for others who didn't play in the previous game and got injured, there was some good news there during his press conference.

"[He] will be back sooner rather than later," Venables said on wide receiver Nic Anderson.

Venables also said Troy Everett is “close” to returning. He also mentioned that Jaquaize Pettaway is up to speed.

So, these guys are crucial for the Sooners this season. Can they play without them to win on Saturday? Of course, they can. But, they will be vital later on.

The Sooners are scheduled to play six teams on their schedule who are all ranked, and all of them are ranked higher than 18 and may be even higher when the season is said and done. Four of those teams are in the top 10. So, yes, they need every player back in a bad way. Potentially having their players back in time for the harder matchups is a blessing in disguise. The Sooners are going to need all of the help they can get.

Related: How Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables had his first red flag on Monday