These Matchups Will Decide Oklahoma vs. Missouri

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables locks arms with his team prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

These Matchups Will Decide Oklahoma vs. Missouri

Originally posted on Oklahoma Sooners on SI
By Brady Trantham | Last updated Jun 26, 2026 7:00 AM ET

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Oklahoma hasn't won in Columbia since 2006.

That sentence comes with a caveat the size of a the Sooners recent national championship ceremony at Kimrey Family Stadium. OU has only played Missouri at their house twice since that 2006 meeting — both meetings have resulted in losses for the Crimson and Cream.

The Sooners did get back in the win column against their long time foes from the Big 8 and Big 12 days. Last season's victory over the Tigers set up a win-or-go home situation for Oklahoma the following week for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Sooners On SI concludes its series going over two matchups in each of the Sooners' conference matchups as well as the marquee non-conference bout against Michigan.

Minor Matchup: OU Skill Players vs. Missouri Defense

Over the past two seasons as SEC opponents, Oklahoma's offense has been stuck in the mud for a variety of different reasons. Those reasons should not plague the Sooners for this year's game against Missouri considering the offensive continuity — but you can't ever plan for injuries.

In those previous matchups, OU's skill players — outside of a long Isaiah Sategna III touchdown in 2025's 17-6 victory — have been kept in check by stout Tiger defenses.

If John Mateer has proven that last year was more about his injury than about a lack of ability, then he should have plenty of opportunities to allow his skill players to feast.

In those previous two matchups, there were chances for Deion Burks, Xavier Robinson and even Bauer Sharp to feast against the Tigers. Due to injuries, abysmal quarterback play or a lack of offensive identity, those players largely observed the games.

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Major Matchup: OU Rush Defense vs. Missouri Running Game

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The identity of Missouri is running the football under Eli Drinkwitz . Sadly, star back Ahmad Hardy was shot and injured following spring ball and there's no telling when or if he can return in 2026.

There's, thankfully, optimism that he can — and with the OU game being the final game on the schedule, perhaps Hardy can make a return before or by the game.

Regardless, the Tigers will still want to run the football and have the ability to be good at it with a veteran offensive line.

Last year, Oklahoma forced the Missouri running game into non-exsitence — holding Hardy to 57 yards on 17 carries and 70 yards on 35 carries as a team. All this with Jayden Jackson playing limited snaps.

If OU wants to finish their season off on a high-note, stopping the run game should be priority number one.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Sooners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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