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Sooners have a brand new advantage to take early lead against the Michigan Wolverines in ranked Week 2 matchup

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Holt | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 12:26 AM ET

The Oklahoma Sooners are set for a pivotal matchup in Week 2 of their season. The CFB slate isn't particularly packed next weekend, but OU will be at the center of plenty focus due to their game against the Michigan Wolverines. If the Sooners can pull out a win, it is easy to expect that they'll jump into, at minimum, the top fifteen of most rankings.

Now, we know that Oklahoma could also have a key advantage early on in the game, too.

Michigan linebacker could miss game due to penalty

During the Wolverines' season opener, Michigan starting LB Jaishawn Barham was ejected for targeting. That penalty came in there second half, creating a suspension for him that would be served during the first half of their game against Oklahoma. Michigan is expected to appeal the call.

Michigan starting LB Jaishawn Barham has been flagged and ejected for targeting.

He will be ineligible for the first half at Oklahoma next week, unless U-M wins an appeal.
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) August 31, 2025

“That group is elite,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game. “They’re four deep. We feel very strongly about that group. You know that. We’re going to talk about the ejection when we get to that point with the Big Ten and handling that because we don’t agree. And we’ll handle it from there. -- On3.com

Sooners must take advantage

Losing Barham would be quite important for the Wolverines defense, but it would also give the Sooners an upper hand early on in the massive matchup. Michigan is expected to have a strong defensive unit, and that should come as no surprise. Without an important starter, John Mateer and co. should have a better opportunity to put themselves in a great position to finish the game strong.

The transfer QB had a great performance to start his Sooners career, but he wants to build on it and create something much, much bigger in Norman. Beating Michigan would be a huge step in that direction.

He went 30/37 through the air, with 398 passing yards, which broke the record held by now Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield for most passing yards in an OU debut. Mateer also added four total touchdowns, three passing and one rushing. It’s safe to say he’s the real deal, and his comments afterwards only showed that he’s going to be able to handle everything thrown at him when it comes to the high-pressure job that is being a QB at OU. -- Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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