Fueled by Brent Venables' defensive culture and a high-ceiling offense, the Sooners must survive a brutal SEC gauntlet to prove they are legitimate national title contenders
The expectations are sky high for Oklahoma football as we head into the 2026 season. After showing real progress in Brent Venables’ system and making the College Football Playoff last year, the Sooners are no longer flying under the radar.
In fact, some national voices are starting to talk about OU as a legitimate dark horse contender to win it all. On3's J.D. Pickell made waves with his take recently.
“I feel like the conversation around Oklahoma is getting a little bit slippery in terms of everyone just forgetting what they were last year and how they found a way to get it done in the month of November,” PicKell said.
He doubled down, adding, “...I think Oklahoma's a top 10 team in college football.”
That’s strong praise, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Sooners have talent across the board, a quarterback in John Mateer with a ridiculously high ceiling, and a defense that should keep them in games against anyone.
But as always with Oklahoma in the SEC, the path is going to be brutal.
The toughest challenge for this team isn’t necessarily winning the playoff once they get there, it’s getting into the thing in the first place.
OU drew one of the toughest schedules in the country. Early in the season, they face a murderous stretch with Michigan, Georgia, and Texas.
Going 2-1 in those three games feels almost mandatory if they want a real shot at the CFP. Drop two or more and the margin for error disappears fast in this league.
If they can navigate that gauntlet, though, the Sooners could be on a crash course for the playoff. The pieces are there.
The defense should once again be a strength with playmakers all over the field. The skill positions look deep and explosive.
The big questions are up front on the offensive line and keeping Mateer healthy. If the O-line develops and starts winning battles in the trenches, and if Mateer stays on the field playing at a high level, this offense has answers for just about anyone.
Those are big “ifs,” but they’re realistic ones.
This team will be battle-tested like few others in the SEC. Every week will be a dogfight, and that kind of physical, weekly grind could actually prepare them better for the playoff than some of the softer schedules out there.
What makes the optimism real is how this program has been building. They didn’t take shortcuts. They’ve focused on culture, physicality, and structure, exactly what SEC football demands.
Last year’s late-season push showed the resilience Venables wants in his program. Now with more experience and better roster continuity, the jump could be significant.
PicKell is right that people might be sleeping on what Oklahoma did down the stretch last season.
They found ways to win when it mattered most. That November mentality is exactly what championship teams are built on. If they carry that forward, combined with the talent upgrades, this could be a special year in Norman.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in this league.
One injury, one bad bounce, or one missed assignment in those early tough games could change everything. But the upside is massive.
If the Sooners get the offensive line sorted out and Mateer is slinging it like we know he can, they absolutely have the pieces to hang with, and beat anyone in the country.
Oklahoma enters 2026 with real national championship potential.
The schedule is brutal, the expectations are high, and the SEC will punish any weaknesses.
But that’s also what makes it exciting.
This feels like a team on the rise, ready to take the next step. If they can survive the early-season meat grinder and hit their stride, don’t be surprised if they’re playing in January with a real shot at the title.
The dark horse label fits.
Now it’s time for the Sooners to prove it on the field.
