R.J. Young had a challenge for Oklahoma during the second half of the season.

The Sooners come off of a bye week after beating Texas in the Red River Showdown. They now face another Big 12 team in conference newcomer UCF.

For Young, it’s simple. If Oklahoma plays like it did during the first half of the year in these last few games, it will be the No. 1 team in the country.

Young had the Sooners as the No. 4 team in his Week 8 rankings and didn’t dock Oklahoma any points after coming off the bye.

A second win this season over Texas in the Big 12 title game could do the Sooners a lot of favors in Young’s eyes.

“I’m not going to dock an undefeated team who just beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl, convincingly, for having an off week. It’s simple for OU. If you finish the second half like you did the first half, you’re the number one team in the country. You’re probably gonna have the chance to play Texas again in the Big 12 title unless somebody shows us some version of the Big 12 that we haven’t seen yet. Right now, it feels real top heavy. Feels like we’re destined for a rematch there. You double up Texas, it’s gonna be real difficult for people to look at a Brent Venables football team and them not to be great.”

Does Oklahoma have what it takes to be the best team in the country?