The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off an unexpected 10-3 campaign in just their second season in the SEC. Much of that success was surprising because of the demanding schedule they navigated, particularly during the second half of the season when they faced a string of ranked opponents in consecutive weeks.
Oklahoma’s schedule included matchups with the Michigan Wolverines, Texas Longhorns, Ole Miss Rebels, Tennessee Volunteers, and Alabama Crimson Tide before closing the regular season against the Missouri Tigers and LSU Tigers. It was one of the nation’s most challenging stretches, leading many to believe the Sooners had little chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, much less finishing with 10 wins. They proved those expectations wrong.
The Sooners haven’t caught many breaks with their SEC schedules through their first two seasons in the conference, and there was hope the 2026 slate would provide some relief. Instead, another demanding lineup awaits. Even so, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum believes there are still reasons for Oklahoma fans to feel encouraged despite the difficult road ahead.
“That Georgia game is certainly tricky,” Finebaum said on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show.’ “Michigan. As you look at that schedule, some have ranked it as the toughest in the SEC… there’s a lot of reason to be optimistic, (Texas) A&M at home, Ole Miss at home.”
To Finebaum’s point, the Sooners do get some relief at the end of the season, unlike last year. Texas A&M and Ole Miss are at home, but Oklahoma also faces the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers in its final six games. That late-season stretch is more manageable on paper than the 2025 gauntlet.
So, if Oklahoma can start out hot, it could be another strong season in Norman, with early momentum likely playing a major role in shaping its SEC and CFP trajectory.
