In just 38 days, Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium will open its gates to Sooner nation for another year of football in the Southeastern Conference.
As OU enters its second season in the SEC, the Sooners are set for another year of big hits, big plays and even bigger games in the nation's premier conference.
Here are previews of OU's 2025 season matchups:
vs. Illinois State (Aug. 30)
Illinois State finished last season 10-4 and made it two games deep into the FCS Playoffs before falling to UC Davis. The Redbirds are led by senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and junior linebacker Tye Niekamp. The season opener against Illinois State marks the first time the Sooners and Redbirds will face off on the football field.
vs. Michigan (Sept. 6)
Michigan went 8-5 last season, finishing the year off with a ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama. The Wolverines will be led by second year head coach Sherrone Moore and true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. The college football blue bloods will face off for only the second time in the programs’ history. OU leads the all-time series against Michigan 1-0 with a 14-6 win in the 1976 Orange Bowl.
at Temple (Sept. 13)
Following a 3-9 finish last season, Temple announced K.C. Keeler as the program’s new head coach for the 2025-26 season. Senior quarterback Evan Simon returns for the Owls on offense, backed by senior running back and leading rusher Terrez Worthy. OU defeated Temple 51-3 in last year's season opener, bringing the all-time series to 2-1 in the Sooners’ favor.
vs. Auburn (Sept. 20)
Auburn is OU’s first SEC opponent of the season, and will mark the return of Jackson Arnold to Norman. The Tigers went 5-7 last season under head coach Hugh Freeze. OU defeated Auburn 27-21 last season for the Sooners’ first SEC win of its inaugural season. Arnold is set to start at quarterback, while junior defensive lineman Keldric Faulk will lead the Auburn defense. OU leads the all-time series 2-0 against Auburn.
vs. Kent State (Oct. 4)
Kent State went 0-12 last season under head coach Kenni Burns, who finished his two-year tenure at Kent State with a record of 1-23. Key returners on offense include sophomore wide receivers Dashawn Martin and Jay Jay Etheridge. Senior linebacker Mason Woods and senior defensive lineman transfer Jelani Davis will be at the helm of the defense. OU leads the all-time series with Kent State 1-0.
vs. Texas (Oct. 11)
Texas is coming off a 13-3 season, defeating OU 34-3 and making a deep run in the College Football Playoffs before falling to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal. In 2025, sophomore quarterback Arch Manning takes over Steve Sarkisian’s offense. The Longhorn’s defense is highlighted by sophomore linebacker Colin Simmons, who earned the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award last season. Texas leads the all-time series 64-51-5.
at South Carolina (Oct. 18)
South Carolina finished 9-4 in 2024, and took care of the Sooners 35-9 in Norman last season. Former OU offensive assistant Shane Beamer enters his fifth season in Columbia, and his team will have high expectations after a strong finish last season. The game in Columbia will mark only the second matchup between these two teams.
vs. Mississippi (Oct. 25)
Mississippi finished 2024 with a 10-3 record, and took care of OU 26-14 in Oxford a year ago. Mississippi has a new starting quarterback in Austin Simmons after Jaxson Dart was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Head coach Lane Kiffin enters his sixth season in Oxford with a revamped roster. Mississippi leads the all-time series 2-0.
at Tennessee (Nov. 1)
In what was the first SEC game in Norman a year ago, the Volunteers marched in and beat the Sooners 25-15. Former OU national champion quarterback Josh Heupel is about to start his fifth season in Knoxville, and is coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff in 2024. Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA in the offseason abruptly, and Joey Aguilar is expected to start at QB for Tennessee. OU leads the all-time series against Tennessee 3-2.
at Alabama (Nov. 15)
The Sooners upset the Crimson Tide 24-3 last season, which is one of the signature wins in the Brent Venables era. Following the retirement of Nick Saban, Alabama finished 9-4 a year ago and Kalen DeBoer will enter Year 2 in Tuscaloosa with high expectations. OU holds a 4-2-1 all-time series lead over Alabama.
vs. Missouri (Nov. 22)
Missouri finished 10-3 in 2024 and beat OU 30-23 a season ago. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s team is more unknown heading into this season, but the Tigers are coming off back-to-back double-digit win seasons. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula is expected to take the reins at quarterback, and the Tigers return former Sooners offensive lineman Cayden Green. OU leads the all-time series 67-25-5.
vs. LSU (Nov. 29)
OU went into Death Valley last season and ended its regular season with a 37-17 loss to LSU. The Tigers went 9-4 in 2024 and returned quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and running back Caden Durham. Former OU tight end Bauer Sharp and wide receiver Nic Anderson transferred to LSU in the offseason, giving coach Brian Kelly added depth on offense. LSU holds a 3-1 advantage all-time against the Sooners.
This story was edited by Parker Coyne.
