If you’ve spent any time around Norman lately, you know the vibe has shifted. The SEC transition isn’t "new" anymore; it’s just the reality. But looking at the schedule for Oklahoma Sooners in 2026, it feels like the honeymoon phase is officially over and the real work has begun. Brent Venables and his staff are staring down a 12-game gauntlet that honestly looks like a NFL schedule some weeks.
We’re talking about a nine-game conference slate for the first time. Plus, a massive non-conference trip to the Big House. It’s a lot. If you're planning your fall Saturdays, you've basically got to decide now which road trips are worth the gas money and which home games require that premium tailgate spot.
The Non-Conference Warmup (Sort Of)
Oklahoma kicks things off on September 5 against UTEP. It’s the standard "get right" game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. You expect a win, you hope for no injuries, and you want to see the new starters look sharp.
But then? Things get spicy.
On September 12, the Sooners head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan. This is the return leg of the series where OU hosted the Wolverines back in 2022. Playing in front of 100,000+ people in a stadium that literally feels like a concrete crater is a different kind of pressure. Michigan just hired Kyle Whittingham to lead them, so that’s a fascinating matchup of defensive minds.
After the Michigan high (or hangover), the Sooners come back to Norman on September 19 to host New Mexico. The Lobos aren't exactly world-beaters, but coming off a Big Ten road trip, this is a classic "trap game" scenario if the focus isn't there.
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Welcome to the 9-Game SEC Grind
This is where the schedule for Oklahoma Sooners gets genuinely brutal. For the first time, the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule. No more hiding. Every single weekend from late September through November is a fistfight.
The Georgia Gauntlet
On September 26, Oklahoma opens SEC play on the road at Georgia. Think about that. Your first conference game of the year is in Athens against Kirby Smart’s machine. It’s only the second time these programs have ever met on a college campus. The last time they played was that legendary 2018 Rose Bowl—a double-overtime heartbreaker for Sooner fans.
Red River and the October Stretch
After a much-needed open date on October 3, it’s off to Dallas. The Red River Rivalry against Texas lands on October 10. Oklahoma is the designated home team this year. Even though Texas got the better of OU in 2025 (a 23-6 loss where John Mateer struggled coming off hand surgery), the Sooners have still won 11 of the last 17.
The rest of October looks like this:
- Oct 17: Kentucky (Home) – The Wildcats haven't been to Norman since 1980. It’s a weird, rare matchup that brings a physical, SEC-East style of ball to Owen Field.
- Oct 24: at Mississippi State (Away) – This is a historic one. It’s the first-ever meeting between these two schools in football. Prepare for the cowbells; they are as annoying as advertised.
- Oct 31: South Carolina (Home) – A Halloween matchup. The Sooners beat Shane Beamer’s squad 26-7 last year, but Beamer is an emotional coach who’d love nothing more than a "spooky" upset in Norman.
The November Push
If the Sooners are still in the College Football Playoff hunt by November, they’ll have earned it. The back half of the schedule for Oklahoma Sooners is a tour of the deep south and old rivalries.
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On November 7, OU travels to Gainesville to play Florida. Surprisingly, this is the first time these two have ever played in the regular season. The last time they met was the 2020 Cotton Bowl where OU hung 55 points on them. "The Swamp" is never an easy place to play, especially in November when the humidity still feels like a wet blanket.
Then comes the "Permanent Rivals" section. The SEC has locked in three annual opponents for OU: Texas, Missouri, and Ole Miss.
On November 14, Lane Kiffin brings the Rebels to Norman for the second year in a row. These games have been high-scoring track meets lately. A week later, on November 21, Texas A&M visits. There is still a lot of Big 12-era bad blood there, and those games are always chippy.
Finally, the regular season ends on November 28 at Missouri. It’s the Friday after Thanksgiving, a traditional rivalry spot. The Sooners lead this all-time series 68-25-5, but Mizzou under Eli Drinkwitz has become a tough out, especially in Columbia.
Key Storylines for 2026
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the roster. The big news? John Mateer is coming back. The quarterback confirmed on January 15 that he’s returning for his fourth collegiate season.
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Mateer started 2025 like a house on fire, getting Heisman buzz before that hand injury slowed him down. He finished last year with 22 total touchdowns. If he can stay healthy through this 2026 schedule, Oklahoma has a puncher's chance in the SEC.
Another thing to watch is the coaching staff. OU just hired legendary tight end Jason Witten as the Tight Ends coach. Adding that kind of NFL pedigree to the sideline is huge for recruiting and for a position group that needs to be more productive in the red zone.
Why This Schedule Is Different
The SEC's new model means Oklahoma plays every team in the league at least once every two years. The 2026 slate is the "inverse" of what we'll see in 2028. It’s designed to be fair, but "fair" in the SEC still means playing five teams that finished in the top 18 of the CFP rankings last year.
Actionable Steps for Sooner Fans
If you're looking to navigate the 2026 season without losing your mind (or your savings), here is how to handle it.
- Book Gainesville and Ann Arbor early. These are "bucket list" road trips for most fans. Hotel prices in Ann Arbor for the Michigan game on Sept 12 are already starting to spike.
- Watch the injury report for the bye week. With the season moving to a 13-week window instead of 14, teams only get one open date. OU's falls on Oct 3. That is a massive week to get healthy before Texas.
- Secure your Red River tickets by July. Since OU is the home team, the ticket allocation is slightly different through the athletic department. Don't wait until September.
- Monitor the secondary market for Kentucky. Since it’s a non-traditional rival, you might find some "bargain" tickets for that Oct 17 game compared to the A&M or Ole Miss matchups.
The 2026 schedule for Oklahoma Sooners is a gauntlet, plain and simple. It features road trips to the most hostile environments in the country and home games against teams that are essentially playoff regulars. But honestly? This is why OU moved to the SEC. You want the big stage, and in 2026, the stage doesn't get much bigger than this.