Oklahoma Football: 2026 Sooners Season Preview and Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jul 3, 2026 12:27 PM ET

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is in a safer situation than a year ago thanks to the playoff appearance. Building off that, the Sooners need the offense to take a step forward under quarterback John Mateer’s guidance and the defense to remain close to last year’s levels. If those things happen, the Sooners should be positioned for another playoff run.

Oklahoma Football: 2026 Sooners Season Preview and Prediction

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesKevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Previewing Oklahoma's Offense for 2026

Quarterback John Mateer’s 2025 season was clearly split into pre-thumb-injury and post-thumb-injury segments, with the Sooners failing to reach 400 total yards in a single game after Mateer underwent surgery in late September. However, if an offseason of recovery helps Mateer get back to pre-injury levels, the OU offense could be in for a bigger improvement in coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s second season.

OU pushed some young linemen into action, and further progress is expected from them, in particular left tackle Michael Fasusi. Even when Mateer played well last year, the run game had lackluster results, ending the year averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Still, the running back duo of Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock possesses the talent to be productive behind more experienced blockers.

The receiver group should see the ball spread to several players once again, but slot Isaiah Sategna III is back as a key target, and transfers Parker Livingstone from Texas and Trell Harris from Virginia Tech look ready to make an immediate impact.

Previewing Oklahoma's Defense for 2026

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables © Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

The Sooners had one of the best defenses in the country, allowing 15.5 points and 272.5 yards per game, which is what carried them to the College Football Playoff. The unit lost a couple of pivotal players but returns leading tackler Kip Lewis at linebacker and sacks leader Taylor Wein at defensive end, with other experienced pieces up front.

The Bowen brothers, Peyton and Eli, are back in the secondary after picking off two passes apiece last season. Across the board, depth is more of a concern this year, but there’s room for young players such as defensive end Danny Okoye or cornerback Jacobe Johnson to step forward.

Under head coach Brent Venables, defense has been the hallmark of the program, and while replicating last year’s success won’t be easy, the unit looks capable of continuing that trend.

Previewing Oklahoma's Specialists for 2026

Placekicker Tate Sandell is back after an All-America season in which he was 16-of-18 on field goals from 40 yards and beyond and 8-of-9 from 50 and beyond. Punter Grayson Miller also returns after averaging 45.8 yards per attempt. Sategna is a threat in the punt return game because of his elusiveness in space.