After a successful transfer portal haul while also adding offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and general manager Jim Nagy during the offseason, the consensus is an expected turnaround for the Oklahoma Sooners after going 6-7 last year in their first season in the SEC.
The spring transfer portal cycle closing means rosters are mostly solidified, including for the Sooners. Now that it's known what the Sooners and their opponents will be made of in 2025, what could a do-or-die season for Brent Venables hold?
vs. Illinois State
An easy W for OU, but even with an expected outcome, there's still a lot of anticipation for this one as Sooner Nation's first real look at Ben Arbuckle's offense with new additions John Mateer and Jaydn Ott.
Oklahoma 48, Illinois State 13
vs. Michigan
After the usual cupcake Week 1, the Sooners have one of their biggest nonconference matchups in some time when the Michigan Wolverines visit Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The Wolverines struggled last season after winning the national title in 2023, but they were also still good enough to beat national champion Ohio State last year under first-year coach Sherrone Moore.
There's even more uncertainty in Michigan for 2025, though, with a freshman quarterback possibly making his second career start on the road at OU and Moore facing a two-game suspension. And the Wolverines are obviously concerned about the Sooners after maneuvering Moore's suspension around this matchup.
Even with a new quarterback, as well, the Sooners still have more experience at the position, plus a stout defense and home-field advantage against a young QB.
Oklahoma 24, Michigan 17
at Temple
The biggest question mark surrounding this game is why the heck the Sooners are traveling to Temple. Where this game is played doesn't matter for the outcome, though.
Oklahoma 54, Temple 10