OU gets kickoff time for huge matchup with Michigan

OU gets kickoff time for huge matchup with Michigan

Without a doubt, the biggest non-conference matchup of the regular season for the Oklahoma Sooners comes on Saturday, September 12th against the Michigan Wolverines in Week 2 of the 2026 season. After OU won 24-13 in Norman last year, the rematch comes in Ann Arbor, and a kickoff time was announced on Monday.

Oklahoma and Michigan will get going at 11:00 a.m. CT from the Big House, and the game will be broadcast on FOX. After last year's primetime game under the lights on ABC, the rematch won't get the same treatment, as FOX always puts their biggest game of the week in the early time slot, on "Big Noon Kickoff".

An early kick is nothing new for the Sooners, as they got a heavy dose of 11 a.m. starts during their final few seasons as members of the Big 12. Now, OU will represent the SEC in a big-time showdown against the Big Ten in front of more than 107,601 fans at Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the United States.

Oklahoma and fifth-year head coach Brent Venables return offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and starting quarterback John Mateer, and they hope that pairing can facilitate a better offensive output during the 2026 season. That duo was on the money against the Wolverines last year, and with Venables still calling the defense again this season, there's a lot of stability heading into this game for the Sooners.

The same can't be said for Michigan, as new head coach Kyle Whittingham takes over in Ann Arbor. He inherits starting quarterback Bryce Underwood, and brought over star offensive coordinator Jason Beck with him from Utah. Whittingham also hired a star defensive coordinator in 's Jay Hill, so the Wolverines will look a lot different on both sides of the ball this season.