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Oklahoma’s Road Ahead is Not for the Faint of Heart

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Joe Tillery | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 5:49 PM ET

The 2025 college football season will test Oklahoma in a way few programs will experience.

The Sooners are one of only two teams in the country set to face five consecutive opponents ranked in the preseason AP Top 25, a stretch that could define their first half of the year.

The run begins with a showdown against preseason No. 1 Texas, a rivalry that needs no extra stakes but will carry plenty with the Longhorns starting the season as the nation’s top team. From there, Oklahoma will host No. 13 South Carolina before traveling to face No. 21 Ole Miss.

The grind continues with No. 24 Tennessee and concludes against No. 8 Alabama, giving the Sooners a month-plus stretch with no margin for error.

Most consecutive games vs. @AP_Top25 preseason opponents

Oklahoma
No. 1 Texas (Dallas), Oct. 11
No. 13 at South Carolina, Oct. 18
No. 21 Ole Miss, Oct. 25
No. 24 at Tennessee, Nov. 1
No. 8 at Alabama, Nov. 15

South Carolina
No. 9 at LSU, Oct. 11
No. 18 OU, Oct. 18
No. 8…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 11, 2025

South Carolina is the only other team in the country facing a similar gauntlet, and it’s a stretch that underscores the difficulty of competing in the SEC week after week. For Oklahoma, which finished 6-7 in its first season in the conference, the sequence will require depth, health, and sharp execution in all three phases to navigate successfully.

While the Sooners will have opportunities to make a national statement, the schedule also brings the risk of an early-season slide if they cannot consistently match the level of their opponents. It will be a stretch where quarterback play, defensive resilience, and coaching adjustments will all be tested under the spotlight.

Oklahoma’s path to the College Football Playoff will likely hinge on how it emerges from this five-game run. Surviving with even a 3-2 record could keep the Sooners in the hunt, but anything better might put them firmly in the championship conversation.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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