There are 2 glaring trap games on Oklahoma's 2026 schedule

Every year when the college football schedules come out hot off the press, fans and media alike circle the marquee matchups they’re excited for. Every team seems to have one big game in a season. Also being circled on the schedules are trap games.

A trap game is when there is a heavy favorite that has an increased likelihood of getting upset. This can be due to the atmosphere, playing on the road or simply overlooking an opponent and not being properly prepared. Here are the potential trap games awaiting Oklahoma for the 2026 season. 

Kentucky at Oklahoma on Oct. 17

Kentucky made a change this offseason by firing head coach Mark Stoops and replacing him with former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein. With this change came an influx of transfers, perhaps most notably quarterback Kenny Minchey out of Notre Dame. 

While Stein was at Oregon in 2023-25, the Ducks averaged over 36 points per game. Stein will hope to continue that offensive output as he leads the Wildcats into a new season in the SEC. 

The Sooners will be coming off a tough game in Dallas against Texas. The result of that game could have a huge impact on the Sooners as they get back to Norman to face this new brand of Kentucky football. The Red River Rivalry is always emotionally charged, and if the Sooners are too high or too low on themselves coming out of Dallas, they could find themselves in a dogfight against the Wildcats. 

Read more: Oklahoma 2026 football schedule sets up best for the Sooners' worst-case scenario

Oklahoma at Mississippi State on Oct. 24

This game features a coaches' reunion between Brent Venables and Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, who spent two seasons as Venables offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. The trap here may not involve looking ahead or behind, but it will be a hard-fought game in a tough, cowbell-filled environment. 

Lebby was not fired from Oklahoma, but many fans wanted him gone for multiple reasons. One being his stubborn play-calling and constantly going back to his infamous jet sweep. The second was his association with Art Briles. 

There does not seem to be any animosity between Venables and Lebby, but be sure that both are fierce competitors. Lebby knows how Venables runs his defense and will look to use his knowledge from Oklahoma to exploit it. Lebby will have his Bulldogs ready to cause an upset and perhaps to prove that he belonged in Norman wearing the crimson and cream. 

If Oklahoma drops either of these games, it could be detrimental to the season. The Sooners face another tough schedule featuring Michigan, Georgia and Texas within the first five games. To achieve their aspirations, they cannot afford to lose a game in which they are heavily favored. In the SEC, teams don’t have the luxury of an easy schedule, and trap games can be the nail in the coffin for any team.

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