Oklahoma opens the 2026 college football season against UTEP in Norman
Oklahoman.com • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 12:03 PM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
The Oklahoma Sooners begin their 2026 college football campaign on Friday night with a home game against the UTEP Miners in Norman. Oklahoma enters the contest as the favorites following a 10-2 record and a College Football Playoff appearance last season. UTEP, which has managed only five total wins over the past two years, faces a program currently considered a contender in the SEC. Sooners staff projections anticipate a focus on the running game and defensive pressure, with expectations for John Mateer to lead the offense under coordinator Ben Arbuckle. The matchup serves as a season-opening test for Oklahoma before their subsequent game against Michigan. Players and staff look to establish a rhythm early, utilizing depth throughout the roster in anticipation of a lopsided result.
- •Oklahoma hosts UTEP on Friday to open the 2026 season.
- •The Sooners own a 5-0 all-time record against the Miners.
- •Oklahoma is coming off a 10-2 season and a College Football Playoff appearance.
- •John Mateer enters his fourth year playing in the offense of Ben Arbuckle.
- •UTEP enters the game with an inexperienced offense and a new quarterback.
- 12:29 AMOklahoman.com — OU football vs UTEP live updates: Week 1 game score, highlights for Sooners-Miners - The Oklahoman
- 9:01 PMYahoo Sports — How will OU football look in season opener vs UTEP? Here's our prediction
- 12:03 PMYahoo Sports — Oklahoma vs. UTEP: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions
"It's football time in Oklahoma. The No. 10-ranked Sooners host UTEP at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord — Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on SEC Network+.
"The Oklahoma Sooners open the season against the UTEP Miners on Friday night. The Sooners Wire staff predicts the outcome for Week 1.
"The Oklahoma Sooners are hosting the UTEP Miners in Week 1 of the 2026 college football season. Follow along for live updates.
Sources
External links- Oklahoman.comSep 5, 2026, 12:29 AMOU football vs UTEP live updates: Week 1 game score, highlights for Sooners-Miners - The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma Sooners are hosting the UTEP Miners in Week 1 of the 2026 college football season. Follow along for live updates.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 9:01 PMHow will OU football look in season opener vs UTEP? Here's our prediction
It's football time in Oklahoma. The No. 10-ranked Sooners host UTEP at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord — Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on SEC Network+.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 12:03 PMOklahoma vs. UTEP: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions
The Oklahoma Sooners open the season against the UTEP Miners on Friday night. The Sooners Wire staff predicts the outcome for Week 1.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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