Over the past few weeks, nonconference scheduling in college football has emerged as a hot topic across the Power Four conferences, especially as programs and administrators gathered for their respective media days. A significant point of discussion has been whether the SEC should move from eight to nine conference games, but there appears to be resistance from both coaches and administrators. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the topic recently, suggesting that adding a ninth conference game might not make sense given how competitive the current eight-game slate already is. Meanwhile, some coaches from other conferences, like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti in the Big Ten, have criticized the SEC for avoiding the nine-game schedule, pointing out disparities in the strength of schedule.
Indiana, for example, dropped a game against Virginia and is left with a nonconference schedule that includes Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State — a trio of teams that combined for an 11-25 record in 2024. As a result, the Hoosiers will face only three teams with a winning record in 2024. This illustrates the challenges of creating fair and competitive schedules across conferences, especially in the context of College Football Playoff considerations.
With this broader debate in mind, it’s worth turning attention to Oklahoma’s future nonconference schedules to examine how the Sooners are approaching these key matchups in the coming years. Here’s a deep dive into what lies ahead for Oklahoma on the nonconference front.
2025: Michigan Comes to Norman
Oklahoma opens the 2025 season at home against Illinois State on August 30. The marquee matchup comes the following week, on September 6, when the Michigan Wolverines visit Norman. This will be one of the most high-profile nonconference games played at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium since Ohio State’s visit in 2016. The Sooners then travel to Temple on September 13 before returning home to face Kent State on October 4. All eyes will be on that early-September clash with Michigan, which is sure to have major playoff implications.
2026: Return Trip to Ann Arbor
In 2026, Oklahoma travels to Ann Arbor for a return game against Michigan, scheduled for September 12. The season begins at home against UTEP on September 5, followed by a home matchup with New Mexico on September 19. Because the SEC is unlikely to shift to a nine-game conference schedule, Oklahoma may still need to schedule one additional game for 2026 to reach the standard 12 games. The trip to The Big House is undoubtedly the highlight and will test Brent Venables’ squad against one of the sport’s perennial powerhouses.
2027: A New-Look Pac-12 Visits Norman
Oklahoma kicks off the 2027 season with a home game against Utah State on September 4. They’ll then hit the road to face SMU on September 11 and return home to play San Diego State on September 18. Notably, all three opponents were in different conferences when the series were initially scheduled. SMU has since joined the ACC, while both Utah State and San Diego State are part of a restructured Pac-12, largely made up of former Mountain West programs.
SMU, a College Football Playoff participant in 2024, is not to be underestimated. With strong NIL backing and a sharp offensive mind in head coach Rhett Lashlee, the Mustangs could give Oklahoma a major challenge. Importantly, SMU satisfies the SEC’s requirement of facing a Power Four opponent in nonconference play.
2028: Testing a Rising Houston
The Sooners will face Temple at home on September 2, travel to Houston on September 16, and host Colorado State on September 30. While none of these games initially stand out as marquee matchups, the contest against Houston could prove to be significant. Head coach Willie Fritz is rebuilding the program, and in 2026, the Cougars landed five-star quarterback Keisean Henderson — the No. 2 recruit nationally. He’ll likely be the starting QB when the Sooners visit, making it a key test for Oklahoma’s defense.
2029: Nebraska Returns to Norman
Oklahoma starts the 2029 campaign with a road game at San Diego State on September 1. That trip marks the first time the Sooners have traveled to face the Aztecs since a 51-31 loss years ago. On September 15, Oklahoma hosts Nebraska in the first leg of a new home-and-home series with their former Big 8 and Big 12 rival. The Sooners won both recent meetings between the two programs, and a renewal of the rivalry is sure to draw national attention. Also worth noting: Oklahoma State only has two nonconference games currently scheduled in 2029 — raising speculation that Bedlam could return permanently starting this season.
2030: Return to Memorial Stadium
The Sooners will host Tulsa on August 31 before making the return trip to face Nebraska in Lincoln on September 14. The last time Oklahoma played at Memorial Stadium, they walked away with a commanding 49-14 win behind Eric Gray’s 100-yard rushing day and Dillon Gabriel’s 285 total yards. Whether the Cornhuskers can turn the tables at home remains to be seen.
2031: Hosting San Diego State
Oklahoma will host San Diego State on September 6. Historically, the Sooners are 1-1 against the Aztecs, with the lone home victory coming in 1995 — a 38-22 win. While there’s no Power Four opponent currently on the 2031 schedule, Oklahoma is expected to add one. The absence is likely temporary, and an announcement may come in the next few years.
2032: Nothing Yet on the Books
As of now, Oklahoma has no nonconference games scheduled for 2032. College football tends to undergo major structural changes roughly every decade, and this could be another transitional year with possible realignment or playoff format adjustments that affect scheduling.
2033: Familiar Foe in Tulsa
Oklahoma hosts in-state rival Tulsa on September 3. While not as heated or high-profile as Bedlam, the matchup always generates local interest. The close proximity between the two schools makes this a cost-effective and crowd-friendly option. Though it doesn’t carry national stakes, it helps keep the program sharp before conference play.
2034: Another Scheduling Opportunity
The 2034 season currently has no announced nonconference games, which opens the door for a potential blockbuster matchup. Given the wide-open schedule, many fans are hoping for another traditional or blue-blood opponent — possibly even a long-awaited renewal of the Bedlam rivalry against Oklahoma State.
2035: Clash with Clemson
On September 15, 2035, the Sooners travel to face the Clemson Tigers. This game will have plenty of narrative weight due to Oklahoma’s historical connections to Clemson. Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s head coach, previously served as defensive coordinator under Dabo Swinney at Clemson. If both coaches are still in place, it will be a highly emotional and meaningful matchup — a coaching reunion on a national stage. Even if new faces are on the sidelines, a trip to Death Valley is guaranteed to be a thrilling and high-stakes affair.
In summary, Oklahoma’s future nonconference schedules reflect a balance between marquee matchups and developmental games. With blue-chip games against Michigan, Nebraska, Clemson, and possibly SMU, the Sooners are clearly embracing the challenge of facing high-level opponents. At the same time, they’re staying mindful of building flexibility into their schedules as the ever-changing landscape of college football continues to evolve. Whether realignment, playoff expansion, or SEC scheduling adjustments occur, Oklahoma appears well-positioned to adapt — and compete — on a national stage.