Norman, Oklahoma USA

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Mike

Mike has 117 articles published.

Soonerguys Editor
(Haws/Norman Transcript)

Sooners dominate in 51-0 win over UTEP

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The Sooners started its 2026 campaign with three first quarter touchdowns and never looked back in a dominate 51-0 win over UTEP on a rare Friday night game in Norman.

Isaiah Sategna’s first quarter touchdown catch and 88-yard punt return for a touchdown had fans happy. That and returning QB John Mateer’s efficient management of the game and a suffocating Sooner defense were the highlights of the game.

But Coach Brent Venables’ immediate post-game comment was: “Plenty to clean up.”

He is right. Early in the game, UTEP had surprising success scrambling their quarterback. Coach Brent Venables said there was some sloppy tackling. That doesn’t bode well for game two of the season, when the Sooners travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolves and their dynamic athlete at quarterback Bryce Underwood.

But let’s not get too doom and gloom. Oklahoma won by 51 and got their first shut out since 44-0 defeat of Kent State last year.

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Mike: Expect a 9-3 Sooners repeat

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I can happily say that I underestimated Coach Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners last year.

I predicted an 8-4 regular season finish in 2025. The Sooners finished 10-2, beating Alabama and Tennessee on the road and LSU at home – outcomes I had not thought possible this time last year.

John Mateer’s mid-season thumb injury had me thinking I was going to be right. I was wrong.

So, will the OU overachieving last year impact my predictions for 2026? Let’s see.

Game by game:

The Easy Non-Conference games: UTEP and New Mexico. Count them as wins. No need to discuss.

The Difficult Non-Conference game: At Michigan’s Big House. This is the third largest stadium in the world. And the Wolverines are hoping to avenge a loss in Norman last year. A very talented QB … has a year’s experience under his belt. Oklahoma won last year 24-13. This will be a tight one, but Michigan’s best unit (offense) is going against OU’s best unit (defense). And I’ll take the Sooners in that scenario every time.

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Mike: Playoff game hopefully just a another step toward a magical season

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They said the Michigan game was the biggest of the season. Then it was the Tennessee game. Then it was at Alabama. Then it was LSU. And now the first round of the playoffs against Alabama tonight is the so called biggest in Sooner history.

Well, I have attended more than 250 Oklahoma football games in person. Several national championship games. One won. Several lost. I’ve attended prior college playoff games in Pasadena and Atlanta against some of the best teams ever to play college football.

I was here in Norman when Oklahoma beat Nebraska in 2000. No, I had nothing to do with tearing the goal post down, although I have no comment about whether I was on the field after the game. I’ve seen huge games in the Cotton Bowl in October. Big games in Lincoln. I was there for the heartbreak ending against Boise State out in Glendale.

So, while I know having a playoff game for the first time in Norman is a big deal, I’m going to hold back on making it bigger than several others, including the win over Nebraska in 2000. That was a magical year. This could end up that way — but if it does, then the game tonight will just be one step toward that magical conclusion.

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