Column Oklahoma's 2026 schedule is difficult — but so were the 2024 and 2025 slates. Joining the SEC will do that to you. Oklahoma’s identity has been built on winning big against elite competition, and inside the Barry Switzer Center, the mindset is simple: the opponent has to deal with Oklahoma, too. But that shouldn't take away from the absolute crucible the 2026 slate is shaping up to be for Brent Venables' program. It appears this year's may be the toughest to date since joining the SEC. Any success that comes for Oklahoma will be a direct result of this three-year stretch of scheduling adversity. If projections hold, Oklahoma will face four top-10 opponents in 2026 — something the program has experienced only once before. Combined with the Sooners’ difficult 2024 and 2025 schedules, this new SEC era may already be producing one of the toughest three-year stretches in OU history. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables | John E.…