So, you’re looking for the Oklahoma university football score today, Saturday, January 17, 2026. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're checking the TV guide or refreshing your sportsbook app, you won't find a kickoff time.
The Sooners aren't on the field. Honestly, for a lot of fans in Norman, today is a bit of a "what could have been" kind of day.
The Reality of the January Calendar
Here’s the deal: the 2025 college football season is effectively over for Oklahoma. While we are currently in the window where the biggest games of the year—the College Football Playoff semifinals and the National Championship—take place, OU is watching from the couch.
They had a hell of a run, though. Brent Venables really seemed to find his rhythm in his fourth year, leading the team to a 10–3 record. That’s a massive step up. They even managed to crack the inaugural 12-team playoff field as the No. 8 seed. But the post-season journey was shorter than anyone wanted.
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What Happened to the Sooners?
If you're wondering why there’s no score today, it’s because the Sooners were eliminated nearly a month ago. On December 19, 2025, Oklahoma hosted a first-round playoff game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It was a cold night, the atmosphere was electric, and they were facing a familiar foe: Alabama.
It didn't go their way. Despite the home-field advantage and a regular-season win over the Crimson Tide back in November, OU fell 24–34.
- Final Score: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24
- The Turning Point: Alabama’s defense stifled quarterback John Mateer in the second half.
- The Result: Oklahoma’s season ended right then and there.
Because of the new playoff format, losing in the first round means you don't get a "consolation" bowl game in January. You're just... done. It’s a brutal reality of the 12-team era.
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The Score You MIGHT Be Looking For
Since it is Saturday, January 17, there actually was a major Oklahoma vs. Alabama matchup today. It just wasn't on the gridiron.
The Oklahoma men’s basketball team took on No. 18 Alabama at the Lloyd Noble Center this afternoon. If you saw a headline about a "heartbreaker" or a close score between these two schools today, this is it. The Sooners lost a nail-biter 83–81 after a potential game-winning three-pointer from Nijel Pack rimmed out at the buzzer.
It’s been a rough day for Sooner fans against the Tide, clearly.
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Looking Ahead to 2026
Since there is no Oklahoma university football score today, the focus in Norman has already shifted to the 2026 season. And frankly, the schedule is looking like a gauntlet.
The Sooners open the 2026 season on September 5 against UTEP, but the real fireworks start a week later. They have to travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on September 12. Following that, they have a brutal SEC slate that includes a road trip to Georgia on September 26.
Basically, the "offseason" is currently dominated by transfer portal news and recruiting. Quarterback John Mateer, who was such a spark plug this year, is high on NFL draft boards, and how the roster shakes out over the next few months will determine if they can get back to a January game next year.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Portal: Follow the 247Sports or On3 transfer portals to see who Venables is bringing in to shore up the offensive line.
- Watch the Playoffs: The CFP semifinals are the reason there's no OU game today; watching these games gives you a good look at the standard Oklahoma is trying to reach.
- Shift to Hoops: While the football team is off, the basketball squad is in the thick of SEC play. Their next few games will decide their March Madness fate.
The 2025 football season was a success by most metrics—10 wins in the SEC is no joke—but the lack of a January score shows just how high the bar is now.