The Oklahoma Sooners open the 2026 college football season in one more day. You smell that? Smells like opportunity. The Sooners have put together a roster with the potential to make some magic happen this season. The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the most talented teams in the SEC and are considered a dark horse to win the conference this year.
First up for the Sooners are the UTEP Miners, a team that's won just five games total in the last two seasons. On paper, the Sooners are the better team. They're a more experienced team on both sides of the football and are looking to build off of their 10-2 season and College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.
Each week, the staff at Sooners Wire will provide their predictions for each Oklahoma Sooners game. So to kickstart the 2026 season, here are the first Sooners Wire Staff Predictions of the year.
Oklahoma gets the season started off with a blowout win, as UTEP is likely the easiest W on the 2026 schedule. OU will look to pound the rock in this game and give the running backs and offensive line a dose of confidence before the Michigan game. The Sooners will just want to see efficiency and good decisions from John Mateer. On defense, look for the secondary to have a big day and try to force turnovers, while the front seven should be suffocating for the UTEP offense. All in all, a sound tune-up win in Norman where plenty of depth players should see playing time.
Oklahoma 45, UTEP 3
#team #game
First up for the Sooners are the UTEP Miners, a team that's won just five games total in the last two seasons. On paper, the Sooners are the better team. They're a more experienced team on both sides of the football and are looking to build off of their 10-2 season and College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.
Each week, the staff at Sooners Wire will provide their predictions for each Oklahoma Sooners game. So to kickstart the 2026 season, here are the first Sooners Wire Staff Predictions of the year.
Oklahoma gets the season started off with a blowout win, as UTEP is likely the easiest W on the 2026 schedule. OU will look to pound the rock in this game and give the running backs and offensive line a dose of confidence before the Michigan game. The Sooners will just want to see efficiency and good decisions from John Mateer. On defense, look for the secondary to have a big day and try to force turnovers, while the front seven should be suffocating for the UTEP offense. All in all, a sound tune-up win in Norman where plenty of depth players should see playing time.
Oklahoma 45, UTEP 3
#team #game
15 days ago
