It's still about three months away, but Vegas is already not just all but guaranteeing a season-opening win for the Oklahoma Sooners to start 2026, but an easy blowout that could end up being one of the biggest of Week 1.
FanDuel recently released some Week 1 odds for the 2026 college football season, including the Sooners' tune-up against UTEP on Sept. 5. The sportsbook opened OU as a massive 39.5-point favorite over the Miners, as of Thursday. The Sooners should cruise past UTEP and a wide spread was expected, but nearly a six-touchdown margin was still eye-opening no matter the difference in talent and expectations.
The only larger spread so far for Week 1 is Ohio State as a 50.5-point favorite over Ball State. Defending national champion Indiana against North Texas, whose coach just left to take over Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M against Missouri State from the FCS level are also both 39.5-point spreads like OU's.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Sooners' CFP expectations inspire early blowout spread
Expecting a blowout or not, OU fans will still fill Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium after nine months without Sooners football. The Sooners' 2025 season ended in that same venue with a loss to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff after going 10-2 during the regular season.
The Sooners have a ton of talent returning from that playoff team for Year 5 under Brent Venables to set CFP aspirations again for 2026. Returning stars include quarterback John Mateer, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, linebackers Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke, defensive tackles David Stone and Jayden Jackson, and defensive end Taylor Wein.
That much returning talent, especially at key positions, likely played a giant factor in Vegas setting such a wide spread since the Sooners won't have much to figure out Week 1 and should get out ahead quickly.
There will also still be debuts worth showing up for, including new receivers Parker Livingstone from Texas and Trell Harris from Virginia. A blowout will also allow many freshmen, including edge rusher Jake Kreul, to get more debut experience. Fans can also anticipate seeing a healthy Mateer again with more talent than ever before around him.
Read more: Sooners post-spring 2026 schedule prediction sets up Red River Rivalry revenge
The Sooners' cupcake Week 1 matchup proceeds a trip to Michigan to play what will likely be a marquee top-15 matchup in Ann Arbor. FanDuel also already released odds for that blue-blood matchup, with the Sooners as 2.5-point underdogs on the road in what should be a much more exciting game than that opener.
Most importantly, odds coming out for specific games means college football season is getting closer to its return.
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