If you are waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and looking for the kickoff time for the Oklahoma Sooners football game, I have some news that might be a little tough to hear. Honestly, there isn’t a game today.
The Sooners’ 2025-2026 football campaign officially wrapped up about a month ago. For a team that transitioned into the SEC with high hopes, the post-season ended in a hard-fought battle against Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff back on December 19. It’s kinda that weird "dead zone" of the sports calendar where the pads are packed away, but the itch for Saturdays in Norman is still very much alive.
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What Time Do the Sooners Play Football Today? The Offseason Reality
To be blunt, the answer to what time do the sooners play football today is: they don't. While the NFL is currently in the thick of the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the college world is largely quiet today.
Tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 19, is the big one—the College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami. But for the crimson and cream, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 recruiting class and the transfer portal.
It’s easy to get confused because the Oklahoma Women’s Basketball team is actually playing a massive game today. If you just need a Sooner fix, they are hosting No. 13 LSU at the Lloyd Noble Center. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2. It’s a "Stripe Out" game, so the energy in Norman will still be pretty wild, just on the hardwood instead of the turf.
Why the Sooners Aren't Playing
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. Brent Venables led the squad to a 10-2 regular season, earning that 8-seed in the inaugural 12-team playoff bracket. Hosting Alabama at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium was a historic moment. Unfortunately, the Tide rolled out with a 34-24 victory, ending Oklahoma's run.
Since then, the coaching staff hasn't been sitting around. The program made waves by hiring Jason Witten as the new tight ends coach on January 15, and George Cumby was just selected for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class. Basically, the "football" happening right now is all administrative and developmental.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Oklahoma Schedule
Since you're clearly ready for some football, let’s look at when you can actually set your tailgate clock again. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a gauntlet.
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Oklahoma opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against UTEP in Norman. While times and TV networks haven't been finalized for the early games yet, that's the date you need to circle.
Here is what the 2026 slate looks like:
- Sept. 5: vs. UTEP (Norman)
- Sept. 12: at Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Sept. 19: vs. New Mexico (Norman)
- Sept. 26: at Georgia (Athens)
- Oct. 10: vs. Texas (Dallas - Red River Rivalry)
- Oct. 17: vs. Kentucky (Norman)
- Oct. 24: at Mississippi State (Starkville)
- Oct. 31: vs. South Carolina (Norman)
- Nov. 7: at Florida (Gainesville)
- Nov. 14: vs. Ole Miss (Norman)
- Nov. 21: vs. Texas A&M (Norman)
- Nov. 28: at Missouri (Columbia)
That Week 2 trip to the Big House in Ann Arbor is going to be one of the biggest non-conference games in the country. Then, heading to Athens to face Georgia just two weeks later? That is a brutal stretch.
How to Stay Connected During the Offseason
Even though you won't find a game today, the next few months are actually pretty critical for the team. Spring practice usually kicks off in March, culminating in the annual Red-White Spring Game in April. That’s the first real chance to see the new transfer additions and early-enrollee freshmen in action.
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If you’re wondering what time do the sooners play football today because you're looking for highlights or replays, the SEC Network usually runs marathons of the season’s best games throughout Sunday afternoons. You might catch a replay of the win over Tennessee or the nail-biter against Alabama from November.
Actionable Steps for Sooner Fans
Since there is no kickoff today, here is how you can prep for the 2026 season right now:
- Check the Women's Game: Tune into ESPN2 at 2:00 p.m. CT to see the Sooners take on LSU. It's the best way to support the university today.
- Review the Transfer Portal: Keep an eye on the local Norman papers and sports blogs. The spring window will be opening soon, and that’s where the 2026 roster will truly take shape.
- Plan Your Travel: If you’re planning to go to the Michigan game on Sept. 12 or the Georgia game on Sept. 26, start looking at hotels now. Ann Arbor and Athens fill up months in advance.
- Update Your Calendar: Mark Sept. 5 as the official return of Sooner football.
While the stadium is empty today, the work for a 2026 title run is already happening behind the scenes.