The anticipation starts now for next football season.
Oklahoma's complete 2025 football schedule was announced Wednesday night. Although still months away, there's reason to start looking ahead now after a 6-6 regular season.
As part of that anticipation, I ranked the Sooners' 2025 games based on the excitement for each game as fans, which could also be influenced by the potential importance of that game, history and who's on the other sideline.
12. at Temple
Why the heck are the Sooners traveling to Philadelphia?
At least most lackluster matchups get the benefit of spending a Saturday inside Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. But few fans will probably make the trek to Pennsylvania to watch OU play a Temple team that just 3-9.
11. Kent State
Another dull opponent, but at least this one is in Norman. This will be like a third bye week for the Sooners, as Kent State was 0-12 this season. And the reality is everyone will just be ready to get past this one for the Red River Rivalry the next week.
10. Illinois State
The season opener. That's really all this one has going for it. After being deprived of college football for seven months, we'd be thrilled just to watch OU play Norman High School.
9. Missouri
This is the least appetizing conference game on OU's schedule. It might move up these rankings by the time it's here, though, considering it could be the Sooners' best chance at notching a win during another tough schedule. It's also at home, but right now, the newness of SEC road trips actually makes those more fun.
8. Ole Miss
Another home SEC game. The Rebels were dangerous this season but will have to replace Jaxson Dart and more before next year. Depending on how OU's season goes, this could be a matchup between two unranked teams trying to keep from drowining. At best, one could still be competing for a College Football Playoff spot while the other is just trying to ruin someone's day.
7. LSU
This one is above the last two home SEC games because it's the regular-season finale. There could be something up for grabs at this point, whether it's just bowl eligibility or a spot in the College Football Playoff. Brian Kelly and Brent Venables' jobs could also be on the line by then, too, or maybe there's even an interim coach on one of the sidelines (preferably wearing purple).
6. Auburn
I know, Auburn is not as enticing of an opponent as the last three, but this is the SEC opener. It's a tone setter and in Norman. If Michigan is still struggling, and considering how Auburn was this season, this game could start the Sooners at 4-0. Then after that it's Kent State, so 5-0. That would surely set up a Red River Rivalry between a pair of ranked teams with at least the Sooners undefeated.
5. at South Carolina
Shane Beamer has built something at South Carolina, and this could be one of the best teams in the country next season with quarterback LaNorris Sellers back. And unless something just went terrible (like the five best receivers being injured), then the Sooners should also still be contenders at this point before the schedule gets excruciating.
4. at Tennessee
This one will be missing the pageantry of Josh Heupel's return to Norman, but the Volunteers should still be College Football Playoff contenders again in 2025 after getting there with a freshman quarterback this year. The Sooners also beat Tennessee on their last trip to Rocky Top in 2015.
3. at Alabama
This one is certainly already circled on Alabama's calendar. OU took down the Crimson Tide when they came to Norman this season, ultimately leading to Bama being left out of the College Football Playoff. And no matter, it's always going to be a big game when these two crimson giants meet.
2. Michigan
I'm a sucker for unique matchups. OU and Michigan have met only once and not since 1976, when the Sooners beat the Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. Michigan could be down again, but no one will know that yet by Week 2, so this will still have the buildup of two storied programs meeting and hoping to get back to their winning ways.
1. Texas
This one seemed too obvious to put at No. 1, but it's the Red River Rivalry. I mentioned above that if things go right for the Sooners, the Cotton Bowl could be a big stage this weekend. The Longhorns also have the ego of coming off back-to-back College Football Playoff apperances. And at this point it should be Arch Manning as QB1 for Texas. Not even Matthew McConaughey has had a script that good.