Sooners Illustrated Staff Picks: No. 18 Oklahoma vs Illinois State
(by Josh Callaway) The time has finally arrived as Oklahoma gets set to host Illinois State on Saturday night in the 2025 season opener. On Thursday's edition of the Sooners Illustrated Podcast and in Friday's Sooners Illustrated Game Preview, the Sooners Illustrated staff locked in their final score predictions for the Week 1 matchup...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Kirk Herbstreit reveals ESPN College GameDay will be at Oklahoma vs. Michigan in Week 2
(by Sam Gillenwater) All eyes will be on ‘College GameDay’ tomorrow for the finale of Lee Corso in Columbus ahead of No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State. However, once it leaves ‘The Shoe,’ the show will apparently be headed southwest in week two for another matchup between the SEC and the Big Ten. Per Kirk Herbstreit on Friday...read more from On3.com
John Mateer gets the offense rolling early: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Week 1
(by John Williams) Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is upon us, and the Oklahoma Sooners open the season against one of the better FCS teams in the nation, the Illinois State Redbirds. Oklahoma is coming into the game looking to get off to a fast start as they welcome several new pieces on the offensive side of the ball. There are...read more from the Sooners Wire
OUInsider Roundtable: How much pressure do the Sooners face this season?
(by Jesse Crittenden) After a very long offseason, Oklahoma’s football season is here. The Sooners open the 2025 campaign at 5 p.m. Saturday against Illinois State. After a rough season a year ago, the Sooners are in prime position to begin on a high note before a tougher matchup with Michigan next week. As the Sooners prepare to take...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma's Defensive Turnaround Can Serve as Blueprint for Ben Arbuckle's Offense
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defense has been rebuilt in Brent Venables’ vision. Despite a terrible 2024 season for the program, the defense returned to a unit that could help the Sooners win, rather than merely hoping OU wouldn’t lose because of the defense. As the No. 18-ranked Sooners prepare to kick off 2025 on Saturday...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma isn't getting your average FCS cupcake with Illinois State in season opener
(by Dekota Gregory) Over 35 minutes into Oklahoma's first weekly press conference of the season after media was warned it got just two more questions to ask OU head coach Brent Venables, 247Sports' James D. Jackson finally asked the first question not about the Sooners' roster or coaches, but actually about their first opponent, Illinois State...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Fierce Competition Sharpened Oklahoma LBs Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho This Fall
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Every coach wants strong competition within their team. Brent Venables is no different, and his No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Sooners needed guys to develop further at linebacker after losing star Danny Stutsman to the NFL Draft. Kobie McKinzie served as Stutsman’s understudy last year. He totaled a career-high...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Billy Bowman Jr. proves doubters wrong with Atlanta Falcons starting nod
(by Dekota Gregory) Scouts and analysts claimed former Oklahoma star safety Billy Bowman Jr. was too small to succeed in the NFL, but just a few months after slipping in the 2025 NFL Draft because of his size, Bowman is already a Week 1 starter for the Atlanta Falcons as a rookie. After Bowman got first-team reps throughout training...read more from Stormin' in Norman
SIP Ep. 204 | Oklahoma Recruiting Roundup: OU stays hot in 2026 class going into first game weekend
(by Josh Callaway) Going into the first week of high school football and Oklahoma's season opener coming up on Saturday, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy open things up by breaking down the latest commit for Oklahoma in 2026 with defensive...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Brent Venables isn't worried about QB John Mateer: 'He's always responded'
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — John Mateer doesn’t listen to the preseason talk or get caught up in preseason expectations. The good news for OU coach Brent Venables? He knows he doesn’t have to worry about that with his new quarterback. Venables thoroughly studied Mateer’s tape at Washington State before the Sooners added...read more from the OUInsider
3 true freshmen to watch for OU against Illinois State
(by Aaron Gelvin) Finally, it’s football time again in Oklahoma. The 2025 season kicks off for the Oklahoma Sooners against the Illinois State Redbirds in Week 1 at home in Norman. OU hosts their only FCS opponent of the season on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. inside Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Plenty of newcomers will be making...read more from the Sooners Wire
SoonerScoop podcast: How much will we learn about the OU offense?
(by Bob Przybylo) Check another box, OU fans. The final Unofficial 40 podcast before the first game of the season for the Sooners. And there is still a ton to talk about. Not just from a big-picture point of view. But getting down in the mud, as head coach Brent Venables would say, with what’s going on in 2025. Sounds like we’re going to hear from...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
How Oklahoma RBs Jovantae Barnes, Tory Blaylock Earned Top Spots on Week 1 Depth Chart
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — While Jaydn Ott rightfully generated a significant buzz when he arrived in Norman, he won’t start on offense in Week 1. Ott, who transferred to OU from Cal in April, is widely expected to lead the Sooners’ run game during the 2025 season. The running back rushed for more than 2,000 yards during his first two years...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
OU Announces Football Fan Experience Enhancements
(by OU Athletics Communications) NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department has announced a series of fan experience enhancements ahead of Saturday's home football opener against Illinois State. The expansion of offerings and upgrades to services range from pregame festivities to in-game engagement...read more from SoonerSports.com
Oklahoma Looking to Build 'Chemistry' Despite Offensive Line Battles
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Oklahoma still has plenty to sort out along the offensive line. The Sooners’ first depth chart of the season listed one entrenched starter, Febechi Nwaiwu at right guard, but position battles at the other four spots will continue into OU’s season opener against Illinois State. “Lot of great competition in fall...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Sooners on SI Podcast: It's Finally Football Time in Oklahoma
(by Ryan Chapman) Listen to the first Sooners on SI Podcast of the season! John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Carson Field got together to preview No. 18-ranked Oklahoma's season opener on Saturday against Illinois State. Brent Venables held his first game week press conference of the season on Tuesday, and the guys recapped...listen to podcast from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
College football Week 1 watch guide for Oklahoma Sooners fans
(by Aaron Gelvin) College football returns with a bang Week 1. The Oklahoma Sooners will host Illinois State at 5 p.m. CT Saturday on ESPN+ for their 2025 season opener, but there will be a lot more college football than just those few hours for Sooner Nation to enjoy Week 1. Between future conference opponents, former rivals and players...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Oklahoma Sooners' 2025 coaching analysts are ready to help lead a bounce-back year
(by Aaron Gelvin) The Oklahoma Sooners did the work to rebuild their offense this offseason. After OU posted its worst offensive numbers since 1998, it made major changes to the leadership on that side of the ball, both on and off the field. Earlier this month, we went through each of OU’s coordinators and position coaches, walking through...read more from the Sooners Wire
Crimson Countdown: No. 3 Robert Spears-Jennings
(by Bob Przybylo) The safety room is officially his. Spears-Jennings has been able to watch in the background and see how you’re supposed to conduct yourself. On the field, off the field and everything in between. Now? He’s that guy. The one expected to set the example for the number of younger safeties in that room. Full of potential, now to bring...read more from the SoonerScoop
Brent Venables discusses special teams, Jaydn Ott's role at kick returner
(by Jesse Crittenden) Monday’s depth chart included “ORs” at multiple position groups on offense and defense for Oklahoma. But one of the areas where things were more concrete was special teams. Tate Sandell was listed atop the depth at kicker, with Jacob Ulrich at punter. Isaiah Sategna is the sole starter at punt returner and was...read more from the OUInsider
