I think the game will load Oblivion first no matter what, but the advice is still sound. When using load-order sensitive mods like OOO, ALWAYS use BOSS. As far as leveling speed goes, I hear you... my initial FCOM experience was misery because it took so long to level up. I recommend http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14304.
[EDIT] @Tomlong... you're really pushing your site. If I link to it in my sig, will you pay me? :rofl:
That's odd...people usually install skill rate gain slowing mods when using OOO and FCOM. Enh, oh, whatever floats your game... I like to have all of my resources in one place, in a simple format. That is the quickest way for me to give people information. I used to make much longer posts, haha.
Edit: I would not pay you, but you can link to it if you want. Then it will only be one click away.

I just added my site to my bookmarks toolbar a few seconds ago for the first time, haha. Typing in the address bar and waiting for it to pop-up is too slow (for as often as I am referencing it.)