OU football bowl projections 2026: Where are Sooners entering bye week?

OU football has some work to do to get back in the winning column ahead of the Red River Rivalry game.

The Sooners (2-2) fell to Georgia 41-13 on Week 4 after an underwhelming win over New Mexico and a loss to Michigan. OU has a bye week before heading to the Cotton Bowl for the rivalry game against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Oct. 10.

The standard record to clinch a bowl game spot is at least six wins and a record where wins equal or outnumber losses, and the Sooners have a tough schedule underway against ranked Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Here are the latest 2026 bowl projections for the Sooners entering Week 5, bye week:

More: OU football QB John Mateer's stock is falling fast. Will bye week spark change?

2026 OU football bowl projections

• Athlon Sports: Oklahoma vs. SMU in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 30
• CBS Sports: Oklahoma vs. USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31
• ESPN (Kyle Bonagura): Oklahoma vs. USC in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31
• ESPN (Mark Schlabach): Oklahoma vs. NC State in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 29
• Sports Illustrated: Oklahoma vs. Houston in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31
• College Football News: Oklahoma vs. Penn State in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30

Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football bowl projections 2026: Where are Sooners entering bye week?