Brent Venables addresses tough 2026 opener for OU football
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 11:09 PM
Last updated Jul 20, 2026
At SEC Media Day, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables discussed the challenging schedule ahead for the 2026 season, starting with a home game against UTEP. He acknowledged the motivation and preparation his players have shown during summer workouts in light of what is projected as one of the toughest schedules in college football. Venables emphasized the importance of readiness as they also face Michigan, New Mexico, Georgia, and Texas in the opening stretch of the season. An adjustment moving the UTEP game to Friday night gives the team additional preparation time before facing Michigan the following week.
- •OU opens 2026 season against UTEP at home on Friday night.
- •Next, the Sooners will face Michigan at the Big House in Week 2.
- •ESPN projects OU's schedule as the second toughest in the nation.
- •Venables highlighted player motivation during summer workouts.
- •Extra preparation time is aimed at improving readiness for Michigan.
- 11:09 PMYahoo Sports — Brent Venables 'excited’ for challenge of OU football's first five games
"Brent Venables said Monday at SEC Media Day that his OU football team is motivated by a 2026 schedule that ranks among the toughest in the nation.
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