You can feel it in the air in Norman right now. That weird, jittery energy that only comes when the dust has finally settled on one season and the blueprint for the next is staring you right in the face. Honestly, looking at the university of oklahoma sooners football schedule for 2026 feels a lot like staring at a mountain range. It’s beautiful, sure, but you know your legs are going to be screaming by the time you reach November.
Last year was a rollercoaster. We saw Brent Venables lead the squad to a 10-3 finish, including that wild regular-season upset of Alabama that basically turned Norman into a 48-hour street party. But then came the playoff loss to the Tide in December. It stung. Now, as we move into the 2026 campaign, the "welcome to the SEC" honeymoon period is officially over. This is just life now.
The 2026 slate is out, and it's a beast. For the first time since joining this conference, the Sooners are actually opening SEC play on the road. And not just anywhere. They’re heading to Athens to face Georgia. Talk about a "how do you do."
The Non-Conference Gauntlet (Yes, Michigan Again)
Most teams use the early weeks to beat up on cupcakes. Oklahoma? Not so much.
The season kicks off on September 5th at home against UTEP. It should be a standard tune-up, a chance to see John Mateer—who really came into his own last year—connect with Isaiah Sategna. Sategna’s return is massive, by the way. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last year, and having that continuity with Mateer is something most SEC teams would kill for.
Then comes September 12th. This is the one everyone has circled in red ink. Oklahoma travels to Ann Arbor for a rematch with Michigan.
Last year, Sherrone Moore brought the Wolverines to Norman and walked away with a win. Now, the Sooners have to go into the Big House. It’s only the third time these two blue bloods have ever met. If you’re a fan of old-school, "punch you in the mouth" football, this is your Super Bowl.
✨ Don't miss: Red Sox vs Yankees: What Most People Get Wrong About Baseball's Biggest Feud
- Sept 5: UTEP (Norman)
- Sept 12: at Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Sept 19: New Mexico (Norman)
The New Mexico game on the 19th is a bit of a breather, or at least it should be. But given the emotional toll the Michigan game is going to take, the coaching staff will have to be careful about a letdown.
Welcome to the SEC Grind: No Easy Saturdays
If you thought the 2025 schedule was tough, 2026 says "hold my beer." The SEC portion of the university of oklahoma sooners football schedule starts with a literal trial by fire.
On September 26th, OU heads to Georgia. It’s only the second time these programs have ever played, and the first time they’ve ever met on a college campus. Let that sink in. Decades of college football history, and we finally get to see the Crimson and Cream in Sanford Stadium.
After a much-needed open date on October 3rd, it’s the big one. Dallas. October 10th. The Red River Rivalry.
Texas got the better of OU last year, 23-6. It was a miserable afternoon for Sooner fans. But the beauty of this rivalry is that last year doesn't matter. It’s about who can handle the heat of the State Fair.
The Mid-Season Rotation
The back half of October and the start of November are where the depth of this roster will be tested. Kip Lewis is returning to anchor the defense, which is huge news since he was the tackle leader last year. He’s going to need every bit of that experience.
🔗 Read more: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
- Oct 17: Kentucky (Norman) – The Wildcats haven’t been to Owen Field since 1980.
- Oct 24: at Mississippi State (Starkville) – Believe it or not, this is the first-ever meeting between these schools.
- Oct 31: South Carolina (Norman) – A Halloween matchup. Last year, OU handled the Gamecocks 26-7. Shane Beamer will be looking for revenge in his old stomping grounds.
The Brutal November Finish
November in the SEC is basically a month-long survival camp. The Sooners start the month in the Swamp. November 7th at Florida. It’s the first time these teams have played a regular-season game. Historically, we’ve seen them in big bowls—like the 55-20 blowout OU handed them in the 2020 Cotton Bowl—but this is different. It’s a road game in one of the loudest environments in the country.
Then, things get really interesting in Norman.
Ole Miss comes to town on November 14th. Lane Kiffin’s crew got the win last year in a 34-26 shootout. But here’s the drama: former OU center Troy Everett, a guy who was a key leader before getting hit by the injury bug, transferred to Ole Miss this offseason. Watching him line up against his old teammates is going to be high-level theater.
The regular season wraps up with:
- Nov 21: Texas A&M (Norman)
- Nov 28: at Missouri (Columbia)
Closing against Missouri on the road is a sneaky-tough way to end the year. The Tigers play a physical brand of ball that can wear you down.
What the Experts are Actually Saying
A lot of the national media is worried about OU’s offensive line. Losing four starters is never easy. However, the staff has been aggressive. They’ve rebuilt with guys like Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje. The word out of practice is that the "Ben Arbuckle" offense is going to be even more vertical this year.
💡 You might also like: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Jason Witten joined the staff as the tight ends coach recently, which adds a layer of "pro-style" grit to the room. You can bet the tight ends will be more involved in the passing game this year.
People keep asking: can Brent Venables keep this momentum going? He’s basically turned the culture around. The defense actually has teeth now. But the SEC doesn't care about your culture. It cares about whether you can stop a 240-pound running back on 3rd and 2 in the fourth quarter.
Actionable Strategy for the 2026 Season
If you're planning your life around the university of oklahoma sooners football schedule, here is how to handle it.
First, get your travel booked for the Michigan game now. Ann Arbor is a bucket-list destination, and prices are already skyrocketing. Second, don't sleep on the Kentucky game. It might not have the "prestige" of the Georgia or Texas games, but that's a classic trap game sitting right after Red River.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal during the spring window. With the departure of Troy Everett, the center position is still a bit of a question mark. If the Sooners grab a veteran there, their playoff odds jump significantly.
Finally, watch the development of the young linebackers. Kip Lewis is the star, but he needs a running mate. If someone like Cole Sullivan steps up, this defense could be top-10 in the country.
The path to the 12-team playoff is right there. It’s just blocked by some of the biggest names in the sport. But hey, that's why they moved to the SEC, right?