Man, looking back at the 2025 Oklahoma football schedule, it’s wild how much people doubted Brent Venables after that rough transition year in 2024. Everyone was talking about how the SEC was going to "welcome" the Sooners with a reality check. Instead, OU went out and finished 10-3, made the College Football Playoff, and basically told the rest of the conference to buckle up.
Honestly? The schedule was a gauntlet. You’ve got traditional powers, a reigning national champ in non-conference play, and those late-season road trips that usually break a team’s spirit. But Oklahoma navigated it by leaning on a defense that Venables himself started calling plays for again. That move changed everything.
The Brutal Non-Conference Hook
Most teams try to schedule a "cupcake" or two to start the year. Oklahoma didn't really get that luxury. While they opened with Illinois State on August 30—a game they handled 35-3—the real test came exactly one week later.
On September 6, the Michigan Wolverines rolled into Norman. People thought the Sooners were in trouble. Michigan was the defending champ from 2023, and even with their own coaching changes, they were physical. But John Mateer, the transfer QB who took over the reins, played out of his mind. OU won that one 24-13. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. If you're looking at the 2025 Oklahoma football schedule to see where the momentum started, it was right there in early September.
After that, they had a weird road trip to Philadelphia to play Temple on September 13. It was a blowout, 42-3, but it set the stage for the meat of the SEC calendar.
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SEC Life: The Red River Heartbreak and the November Surge
The middle of the season is where things usually get messy for the Sooners. The 2025 Oklahoma football schedule featured the usual stop in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry on October 11.
Look, there’s no way to sugarcoat it: the Texas game sucked for OU fans. A 23-6 loss where the offense just couldn't find its rhythm. Mateer was dealing with a hand injury he picked up against Auburn a few weeks prior, and it showed. People started writing the season's obituary right then and there.
But then November happened.
- Nov 1: A massive 33-27 win at Tennessee. Neyland Stadium is a nightmare to play in, but the defense stood tall.
- Nov 15: The "Bama Breakthrough." Oklahoma went into Tuscaloosa and beat the Crimson Tide 23-21. This was the game that proved OU belonged in the elite tier of the SEC.
- Nov 22 & 29: Home wins against Missouri (17-6) and LSU (17-13).
These weren't high-scoring shootouts like the Big 12 days. They were defensive grinds. Venables’ unit finished the year ranked in the top 10 for defensive efficiency, leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss. It was vintage Venables.
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The Full 2025 Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30 | Illinois State | W | 35-3 |
| Sept 6 | Michigan | W | 24-13 |
| Sept 13 | at Temple | W | 42-3 |
| Sept 20 | Auburn | W | 24-17 |
| Oct 4 | Kent State | W | 44-0 |
| Oct 11 | vs Texas (Dallas) | L | 6-23 |
| Oct 18 | at South Carolina | W | 26-7 |
| Oct 25 | Ole Miss | L | 26-34 |
| Nov 1 | at Tennessee | W | 33-27 |
| Nov 15 | at Alabama | W | 23-21 |
| Nov 22 | Missouri | W | 17-6 |
| Nov 29 | LSU | W | 17-13 |
| Dec 19 | Alabama (CFP First Round) | L | 24-34 |
Why the Ole Miss Loss Actually Mattered
Sorta weird to say a loss is a turning point, right? But the October 25 game against Ole Miss (a 34-26 loss) was actually a wake-up call. It was the only time a team really moved the ball consistently against that Sooner defense in the regular season.
It forced Venables to tighten the screws. He realized they couldn't just rely on talent; they needed better discipline in the secondary. Following that loss, the defense allowed an average of only 14 points per game for the rest of the regular season. That’s how you make the playoffs.
What This Means for 2026
The 2025 Oklahoma football schedule did exactly what it was supposed to do—it battle-hardened a young roster. Even though the season ended with a disappointing 34-24 loss to Alabama in the CFP First Round (after blowing a 17-0 lead, which still stings), the foundation is clearly there.
John Mateer is returning. The defense is reloading with talent like Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan. The days of Oklahoma being a "soft" team that only cares about offense are officially over.
If you're planning for next year, expect the SEC to keep the same opponents but flip the venues. That means games against Alabama and Tennessee will likely be in Norman, which is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the league.
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Next Steps for Sooner Fans:
- Keep an eye on the transfer portal for offensive line depth; it’s the one area that struggled during the late-season stretch.
- Watch for the official 2026 kickoff times, which usually drop in late spring.
- Don't let the playoff loss overshadow a 10-win season in the toughest conference in sports.