10 bold predictions for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026

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The Oklahoma Sooners begin their season on Friday night against the UTEP Miners. It's (almost) football time in Oklahoma! And this Oklahoma team has a chance to do something special in 2026.

But every year something unexpected happens. Like last year's improbable November run on the backs of the defense and special teams to get the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. Few could have predicted that after John Mateer's thumb injury and losses to Texas and Ole Miss.

But Oklahoma Football can be full of surprises, and as the season gets underway in a couple of days, here are 10 bold predictions for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026.

1. 1,000-yard rusher

The Oklahoma Sooners haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Eric Gray accomplished the feat back in 2022. The Sooners have dealt with injuries and inconsistency at running back and along the offensive line every year since then.

This year has a chance to be the best offensive line of the Brent Venables era, and they've made it clear that Oklahoma wants to run the football. Xavier Robinson and Lloyd Avant will get the first crack at leading the Sooners running back rotation and this is the year it all comes together for Robinson, the former Carl Albert star.

He's proven capable of running for 100 yards in a game for the Sooners, and this year he finds consistency and durability to lead Oklahoma in rushing as he goes for more than 1,000 yards in 2026.

2. No 1,000-yard receiver

The Oklahoma Sooners haven't had a 1,000-yard receiver since Marvin Mims in 2022, although Drake Stoops (2023) and Isaiah Sategna (2025) came close. This year they won't either. Not because they don't have the weapons or the quarterback, but because they won't need to throw it a bunch to win.

The Sooners want to get the ground game going, and that's going to be the focal point of their offensive attack. Yes, they'll have balance. This isn't going to be a throwback to the Switzer or Wilkinson eras.

Additionally, Oklahoma has several players who can win in the passing game, allowing quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to spread the ball around. The Sooners will have a pair of players, Trell Harris and Sategna, go for more than 800 yards, which will be more than enough. There just isn't going to be enough volume in the passing attack to push either player past 1,000.

3. Oklahoma Beats Georgia – Baker's Revenge

This is a bold prediction, no doubt. In Kirby Smart's inaugural season as the head coach of the Bulldogs in 2017, Georgia lost three games at home. Since then, they've only lost twice in Athens. That makes for a tall task for the Sooners when they travel to the Peach State in Week 4.

But Oklahoma will be road-tested, and they've proven they can play well in hostile environments.

In 2024, despite an offense that struggled to move the ball, Oklahoma beat Auburn on the road and led Ole Miss and LSU at halftime and Missouri in the final two minutes. Ultimately, the lack of an offense kept Oklahoma from being able to hold on in those game.

Road wins over South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama in 2025 were instrumental in pushing the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.

Brent Venables has pushed all the right buttons when Oklahoma's traveled away from Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium over the last two seasons. Although Georgia will be the best team the Sooners have faced on the road since joining the SEC, this is the best Sooners team that Venables has taken into hostile territory.

4. Two Shutouts

Last year against FCS and Group of Six opponents, the Oklahoma Sooners allowed just six points in three games, shutting out Kent State and allowing just Illinois State and Temple to kick field goals. This year, they get a pair of shutouts against UTEP and New Mexico.

Both teams have talent, but this will be the biggest environment and the toughest defense that UTEP starter E.J. Colson has played against. New Mexico starting quarterback Jack Layne will miss the season after suffering an injury.

Oklahoma's defense wants to set the tone for the team, and they're going to play like every play is for the national championship on their way to a pair of zeroes on the scoreboard.

5. Surprise Touchdown Leader

The Oklahoma Sooners made a point to improve their tight end room this offseason, and by all accounts, it's taken a significant step forward for 2026. One of the big additions was Colorado State transfer Rocky Beers. I'm predicting Beers will lead the Sooners in touchdowns this season with 10 scores.

In 2025, Rams quarterbacks threw 15 passing touchdowns. Beers caught seven of them. He won't need a high volume of targets to be a touchdown machine. He'll be a red zone weapon because of his size, athleticism, and speed, and Mateer will get him the ball down the middle of the field as teams focus their attention on the speed and playmaking ability of Harris and Sategna.

6. Coach of the Year

A lot of national college football analysts had a lot to say about Brent Venables contract extension. The reality is, the Sooners believe they have the right guy to lead them to a championship. Venables has built the culture, established a defensive presence, and he's improved as a head coach every year he's been in Norman.

This is Brent Venables best team yet. And it's a team on a mission. If they accomplish that mission, Venables will finally get the respect he deserves.

7. New Sack Leader

The Oklahoma Sooners return their sack leader from the 2025 season, Taylor Wein. Wein led the Sooners with seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He was awesome and stepped up his game when R Mason Thomas was out with an injury for nearly all of November. He's going to be awesome again in 2026.

However, now he'll have the attention of offensive coordinators as they look to slow down the Sooners' best edge rusher. That's going to create opportunities for another player to eat.

Danny Okoye was a four-star signing in the 2024 recruiting class and is expected to have a breakout season in 2026. He was listed as a co-starter alongside Adepoju Adebawore, who is also expected to have a great year in his fourth with the Sooners. But if there's someone that can replicate the speed, power, and athleticism that R Mason Thomas brought to the table in his time with Oklahoma, it's Okoye.

Okoye has the ability to get the quarterback in a hurry and the bold prediction is he leads the Sooners in sacks this season.

8. Oklahoma goes undefeated

This may be the boldest prediction of the bunch. The Sooners haven't gone undefeated in the regular season since 2004. The schedule is difficult but it was difficult last year and Oklahoma still managed to win 10 games despite an offense that was inconsistent and couldn't run the football.

What happens this season when the offense is able to pull its own weight? Should be a lot more success.

9. John Mateer Wins the Heisman

After four games in 2026, John Mateer had become the Heisman favorite. That's because he was putting up some incredible numbers, even against Power Four competition. Mateer was averaging more than 350 combined passing and rushing yards per game and was instrumental in wins over Michigan and Auburn.

His season was somewhat derailed with the thumb injury suffered at the end of the Auburn game, but now he's back and healthy and in year four of Ben Arbuckle's offense. He's a playmaker in every sense of the word and will be a catalyst to a huge season for the Sooners.

10. Oklahoma Wins No. 8

It's been over a decade since the Sooners last played for a national championship. It's been more than two decades since they won one. But Oklahoma's built to win and win big in 2026.

They've got the quarterback. They've got a defense. The running game will be much improved and their are weapons in the passing game. The Sooners have everything you need to bring home national championship No. 8. Will they? The push for the title begins Friday night.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 10 bold predictions for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026

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