Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for every Oklahoma game in 2026

Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for every Oklahoma game in 2026

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Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for every Oklahoma game in 2026

Week 0 of the 2026 college football season has arrived. The Sooners kick off the season in six days. It's almost football time in Oklahoma. The Sooners are coming off of the second 10-win season of the Brent Venables era and a College Football Playoff appearance.

This offseason, OU made significant additions on both sides of the ball to retool in hopes of a return trip to the playoff. Oklahoma faces a tough schedule, but entering the season, they're considered one of the best teams in college football.

With a ton of talent and a team that feels like it has something to prove, the Sooners have a chance to make some noise in 2026. To get you ready for the start of the season, here are our predictions from the staff here at Sooners Wire.

UTEP Miners

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables runs onto the field before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma won 45-13.

Sept. 5 in Norman, Okla.

Lead Writer John Williams' Pick: Oklahoma

Contributor Aaron Gelvin's Pick: Oklahoma

Contributor Jaron Spor's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: The Oklahoma Sooners should hit the ground running against the UTEP Miners. The Miners went 2-10 in 2025 and allowed an average of 30 points per game. Great opportunity for the Sooners' offense to start the season fast. They're going to come out looking to make a statement in Week 1.

Michigan Wolverines

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.

Sept. 12 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: The Oklahoma Sooners defense got after Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense in Norman last year. The only offense to speak of was a 75-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes, who's now in Atlanta playing for Georgia Tech. The Wolverines will have a ton of talent and are ushering in a new era with Kyle Whittingham at the helm. The Big House will be jumping, but Oklahoma will be the more ready team in Week 2.

New Mexico

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) and Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Sept. 19 in Norman, Okla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: On the surface, this game shouldn't be much of a challenge for the Sooners. Oklahoma will be the far more talented team on paper. But New Mexico is well coached and they return a lot of talent from last year's squad that went 9-4 last season in Jason Eck's first year at the helm. Still, Oklahoma's talent and physicality will overwhelm the Lobos to a second blowout win on the season.

Georgia Bulldogs

Jan 1, 2018; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker David Marshall (51) in the 2018 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 26 in Athens, Ga.

John's Pick: Georgia

Aaron's Pick: Georgia

Jaron's Pick: Georgia

John's Take: For the first time in the history of the sport, the Oklahoma Sooners will be traveling to Athens, Ga. to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. The Dawgs have lost just two games at home since 2017, the second year of the Kirby Smart era. Oklahoma can certainly play with Georgia but it's tough to pick against the Bulldogs at home.

BYE WEEK

Oct. 3

Texas Longhorns

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Oct. 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Texas

John's Take: Yes, Brent Venables is just 1-3 against Texas during his tenure. Also, yes, Oklahoma has had quarterback issues in the three games they lost. Whether it was backup quarterback Davis Beville and tight end Brayden Willis in 2022, true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. in 2024, or John Mateer and his inability to grip a football in 2025, Oklahoma's dealt with turmoil at the position in all three losses. The one time they had their starting quarterback healthy, Oklahoma pulled off an emotional comeback win under Dillon Gabriel.

This year, the Sooners get one back on Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Though Texas will be one of the better teams in college football, Oklahoma will be too. This game doesn't always make sense, but look for the Sooners' offense to put together a fantastic showing against the Horns this year.

Kentucky Wildcats

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 04: A Kentucky Wildcats helmet during the college football game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Georgia Bulldogs on October 4, 2025 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Oct. 17 in Norman, Okla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: This will be the Oklahoma Sooners' first time playing in front of the OU faithful in Norman in nearly a month. No matter the outcome of the Red River Shootout, the Sooners will show up ready to play in front of the home crowd. Kentucky made a strong hire in Will Stein, but they aren't going to be ready for the defensive talent that the Sooners have on the field in 2026.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Sep 13, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Emeka Iloh (84) and head coach Jeff Lebby react during the second half against the Alcorn State Braves at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Oct. 24 in Starkville, Miss.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: Mississippi State's uptempo offense will cause some problems for Oklahoma's defense but the Sooners are the more talented team. This could be closer than expected being in Starkville with the cowbells going wild, but the Sooners will have been in more hostile road environments leading up to this matchup with trips to Ann Arbor, Athens, and Dallas for the Red River Shootout already marked off the calendar.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Oct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) attempts to elude Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Oct. 31 in Norman, Okla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: The Gamecocks will be better than the team Oklahoma dominated in Columbia last year. But so will the Sooners. Oklahoma has the better roster and has the talent on defense to contain LaNorris Sellers. Could be a close game, but look for the Sooners to get the Halloween win.

Florida Gators

Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Rhamondre Stevenson (29) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Florida Gators at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 7 in Gainesville, Fla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Florida

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: The Florida team that beat the Sooners in the national championship to end the 2008 season will be in town, and the Gators will be a better team than the one that beat Texas in Gainesville last year. This one will be a fight for the Sooners in a hostile environment and on an emotional night. But look for the veteran leadership to help keep everyone locked in to earn a big win to kick off November.

Ole Miss Rebels

Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) throws as Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) defends during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nov. 14 in Norman, Okla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Ole Miss

John's Take: Oklahoma is 0-2 against the Rebels all time. That changes this year. Pete Golding will have the defense playing at a high level, but what does the offense look like without Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weiss Jr.? Though they've lost both games, Oklahoma's played with the Rebels, even leading at halftime in the disastrous 2024 season. The Sooners will have a tough task ahead of them, but they take care of business at home.

Texas A&M Aggies

Oklahoma Sooners' Quentin Griffin (22) runs past Texas A&M Aggies Anthony Cornelius (46) and Roylin Bradley (R) for a fourth quarter touchdown November 11, 2000. The Sooners came from behind to defeat the Aggies a 35-31. REUTERS/Adrees A.AAL

Nov. 21 in Norman, Okla.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: Texas A&M is one of the more talented teams in college football, and Mike Elko is building a culture of toughness in College Station. They'll give Oklahoma all they can handle and more in Norman, but the Sooners are the more battle-tested team and earn a notable win over their former Big 12 foe.

Missouri Tigers

Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) reacts during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nov. 28 in Columbia, Mo.

John's Pick: Oklahoma

Aaron's Pick: Oklahoma

Jaron's Pick: Oklahoma

John's Take: Oklahoma had the game won in Columbia two years ago before letting it slip away and earned a business-like victory over their old Big 8 rival to keep their playoff hopes alive. This may be their toughest challenge from the Tigers to date, with Austin Simmons arguably the most talented quarterback of the Eli Drinkwitz era. Ahmad Hardy should be rolling at this point after missing the start of the season, and the defense will be good enough to make things difficult for the Sooners. I expect this will be another one-score game, but the Sooners' experience will give them the edge on the road.

Final Records

John: 11-1

Aaron: 10-2

Jaron: 9-3

If John or Aaron are right, the Oklahoma Sooners are heading back to the College Football Playoff. At 11-1, the Sooners would likely be in the SEC championship game. If the Sooners were to finish 9-3 as Jaron predicts, with losses to Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss, Oklahoma would have a strong case to make the playoff as a 9-3 team. But that would be a first in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for every Oklahoma game in 2026

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