Michigan Football 2026 opponent preview: Oklahoma
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The Michigan Wolverines have become very familiar with former Big 12, now SEC foes in Oklahoma and Texas the last three seasons. Heading into 2026, the Wolverines will get their turn to host the Sooners in the Big House in Week 2 for what should be a matchup between two teams vying for the College Football Playoff.
After falling short in Norman a season ago, the Wolverines hope for some revenge this year to get the season rolling early.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Brent Venables (5th season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ben Arbuckle (2nd season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bates (5th season)
2025 Record
- 10-3 (6-2) First Round CFP loss to Alabama
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 73rd (12th in the SEC)
- Total Offense: 94th (12th in the SEC)
- Scoring Defense: 7th (1st in the SEC)
- Total Defense: 8th (1st in the SEC)
2025 TL;DR Recap
Oklahoma started the season red hot, beating both Michigan and Auburn at home, to earn a top-five ranking at the season’s midway point. But losses to Texas and Ole Miss put the Sooners’ CFP hopes in jeopardy. Those came, in part, due to John Mateer’s hand injury. Down the stretch, the Sooners earned a trifecta of ranked wins, including two on the road over Tennessee and Alabama. Mateer, however, was not 100 percent even heading into their CFP game vs the Tide.
Key Departures
- Edge R. Mason Thomas (NFL Draft, 40th overall to Kansas City)
- OL Febech Nwaiwu (NFL Draft, 106th overall to Houson)
- DL Gracen Halton (NFL Draft, 107th overall to San Francisco)
- LB Kendal Daniels (NFL Draft, 134th overall to Atlanta)
- S Robert Spears-Jennings (NFL Draft, Round 7 to Pittsburgh)
- TE Janek Kanak (NFL Draft, Round 7 to Tennessee)
- WR Deion Burks (NFL Draft, Round 7 to Indianapolis)
- RB Jadyn Ott (NFL UDFA to Kansas City)
- LB Kobie McKinzie (Northwestern)
- LB Samuel Omosigho (UCLA)
- RB (now DB) Taylor Tatum (Michigan)
Key Returners
- QB John Mateer (247-of-397 [62.2%] for 2,885 passing yards, 14 TDs, 11 INTs, 149 rushes for 431 yards and 8 TDs)
- WR Isaiah Sategna (67 receptions for 965 yards and 8 TD’s, All-SEC performer)
- LB Kip Lewis (Team-leader with 76 tackles in 2025)
- DL Taylor Wein (Team-leader with 7 sacks in 2025)
- DT David Stone (Projected SEC First-Team by Phil Steele)
- LT Michael Fasusi (Second-year starter, former five-star recruit)
Key Transfer Additions
- WR Trell Harris (Virginia)
- WR Parker Livingstone (Texas)
- TE Hayden Hansen (Flordia)
- OT E’Marion Harris (Arkansas)
- LB Cole Sullivan (Michigan)
- Edge Kenny Ozowalu (UTSA)
Preseason Expectations (per Athlon Sports)
National Rank: 8th, Projected SEC Finish: 3rd
“Quarterback John Mateer’s 2025 season was clearly split into pre-thumb-injury and post-thumb-injury segments, with the Sooners failing to reach 400 total yards in a single game after Mateer underwent surgery in late September. However, if an offseason of recovery helps Mateer get back to pre-injury levels, the OU offense could be in for a bigger improvement in coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s second season. The Sooners had one of the best defenses in the country, allowing 15.5 points and 272.5 yards per game, which is what carried them to the College Football Playoff. Under head coach Brent Venables, defense has been the hallmark of the program, and while replicating last year’s success won’t be easy, the unit looks capable of continuing that trend.“
Maize n Brew Thoughts
Despite both being blue bloods, Oklahoma and Michigan have only ever met twice. The first was the 1975 Orange Bowl, where the Sooners claimed a 14-6 victory. Then, of course, the Wolverines loss last season in Norman.
Michigan is actually an early 2.5-point favorite. But with a game of this magnitude, expect the line to move significantly as the season approaches and fans get a look at each team with warmup games in Week 1.
The recipe for a Michigan win is simple — can the Wolverines move the ball on this defense and stop the Mateer run? Yes, Oklahoma lost several key pieces to that defense last season, but they reloaded and have proven talent behind one of the best defensive coaches in college football. The Wolverines had little success last year in a hostile environment outside of one 75-yard touchdown run from Justice Haynes.
In the second game of the Kyle Whittingham era, conquering one of the top SEC teams with a potential Heisman quarterback will not be easy. Both teams could have their seasons on the line this early into the year — which is what will make this game great — but execution for Michigan is as important as anything with a new coaching staff hoping to make a statement.
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