My 2026 regular season game-by-game predictions
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.
At Georgia. The Bulldogs should be the nation’s No. 1 team. Kirby Smart is one of the best coaches – if not the best in college football. Game in Athens. Georgia’s defense, lead by cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, will give Mateer fits. Early in the season helps the Sooners, but I don’t see Georgia losing at home this season against anybody. Chalk this one up as a loss for the Sooners.
Oklahoma vs. Texas. There is an inverse correlation between any level of cockiness by Texas’ fanbase and the team’s outcomes. The series also runs in streaks. The stream is over. Sooners win this one.
At Kentucky and at home against Mississippi State. The Sooners win these games on raw talent. These times aren’t in the same league (well, technically it is the same SEC, but you know what I mean).
At home against South Carolina. I like Shane Beamer. But, pre-season injuries have already hurt the Gamecocks. And Sooner fans will remember the disaster last time SC came into Norman. That won’t happen again. Sooners win this one easily.
At Florida. Every Oklahoma team seems to stub their toe at least for one game. That’s been true since Barry Switzer took the head coaching job in 1972. I’m afraid this one will be it in 2026. The Gator’s defense, led by LB Myles Graham, could shut the Sooners’ offense down. A loss in Gainesville, I’m afraid.
Ol’ Miss in Norman? Yes, in Norman two years in a row. How did the SEC come up with this idea? Well, it works to the Sooners’ favor – allowing them to avenge the 26-34 loss to the Rebels here last year.
Texas A&M at Norman – 11 am kickoff. Ugh. Morning game. This may be the toughest matchup all season and the most important, as the Aggies are hoping to climb back into the playoffs and this game could do it for them. Dynamic QB Mercel Reed puts them in the post-season. If I can borrow from my friend Dave, the Worry Meter will peg out broken this day. Aggies win.
At Missouri. The Tigers are punks. Sooners whip them in Columbia and Missouri fans claim the refs cheated.
Sooners finish: 9-3. Back in the playoffs. Barely.
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