Getting to know Oklahoma ahead of matchup vs Michigan
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The Oklahoma Sooners come to Ann Arbor for the first time in history. Oklahoma is 2-0 all-time versus Michigan, but will they remain undefeated after the game on Saturday?
Here’s a look at Oklahoma ahead of the showdown against Michigan.
A head coach to be respected
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables won two national championships as defensive coordinator of Clemson and is considered one of the best defensive minds in the nation. Venables is 33-20 at Oklahoma but has struggled in bowl games, going 0-4. In Oklahoma’s lone playoff appearance under Venables, they lost 34-24 to Alabama in the CFP First Round last season.
Week 1 dominance
Oklahoma beat UTEP 51-0 last week, holding their opponent to 2-of-13 on third-down with just 198 yards of total offense. Oklahoma’s offense had 401 total yards and quarterback John Mateer threw for three passing touchdowns.
2026 Rankings
- Passing offense: 69
- Rushing offense: 63
- Total offense: 70
- Scoring offense: 26
- Time of possession: 74
- Third-down conversion % offense: 35
- Total defense: 30
- Team sacks: 16
- Passing yards allowed: 12
- Rushing defense: 71
- Scoring defense: 1
- Turnover margin: 29
- Fumbles recovered: 1
- Third-down conversion % defense: 16
Oklahoma could have one of the best QBs in the nation
John Mateer has the ability to be electric as a runner and a thrower. Mateer’s production took a dip last year, throwing for 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions after a 2024 season at Washington State with 29 touchdowns and just seven picks. Part of Mateer’s ‘regression’ in 2026 can be attributed to him playing much of the season at less than 100% after breaking his right thumb in September and only missing one game. Mateer’s grip on the ball is back to what it should be, and he’ll likely revert back to his 2024 form. Even if Mateer doesn’t find success, he can gash a team running. Mateer had eight rushing scores last season for 431 yards.
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham on Oklahoma
“I can tell you right now, I’ve studied the personnel; they’re very talented. Their defensive line is outstanding. Quarterback, we did a deep dive on him when he was at Washington State, when he went into the portal because we would have liked to have had him at Utah… he’s a dual threat. A guy who can beat you both ways… They’ve got a game-breaking receiver… They are very talented in all three phases, and we’ve got our work cut out for us, big time.”
Oklahoma’s success vs Michigan in 2025
Oklahoma beat Michigan 24-13 last season in Norman at Memorial Stadium. John Mateer had one passing touchdown and two rushing scores while Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood struggled, going just 9-of-22 for 142 yards. It was the first road start of Underwood’s career.
LB Cole Sullivan to face old team
Cole Sullivan looked like a promising young linebacker who could be on the path to being a great player at Michigan, but he transferred to Oklahoma this offseason and will now be taking on his former team.
“We say it’s always just a nameless, faceless opponent, so that’s what I’m going to do my best to treat it,” Sullivan said. “Nothing’s going to change in my preparation. Obviously, it’s a special one, but nothing’s going to change in my preparation as far as how I handle myself before the game or during the game.”
Key player to watch on defense, special teams
- Linebacker Kip Lewis is a tackling machine, leading the team last season with 76 tackles (10.5 for loss) with four sacks.
- Receiver Isaiah Satenga returned a punt last week 88 yards for a touchdown and had 76 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
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