What is the Oklahoma Sooners make-or-break game in 2025?
Writers at ESPN.com were tasked with picking one game for each of their preseason top-25 teams that could swing the season. For OU, that game comes early.
In Week 2, the Sooners could build some serious momentum when Michigan comes to town for a prime-time game. A win against the Wolverines would give the Sooners a real chance at a 5-0 start entering the Red River Showdown against Texas on Oct. 6. - Chris Low, ESPN
Oklahoma, ranked 25th in ESPN's preseason rankings, may have struggled last year, putting coach Brent Venables on the hot seat, but a 5-0 start is not unfamiliar. The Sooners began the 2023 season at 6-0 before stumbling midway through the year with one-score losses in back-to-back weeks against Kansas and Oklahoma State.
This year, OU opens the season with a favorable matchup against FCS' Illinois State before Michigan comes to town. A road game against Temple follows, then the Sooners' first SEC home game against Auburn. Oklahoma will then host Kent State before the Red River Showdown against what is likely to be a top-10 Texas team.
Opening the season 5-0 going into the Texas game is huge, considering the difficulty in the back half of the schedule. After the Texas game, the Sooners will go on the road to face South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee and will host Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU. There's the possibility that all six of those games could be against a ranked opponent.
Getting off to a hot start, including a win over Michigan, is paramount to the Sooners' success in 2025.
Oklahoma is also considered the most important game for No. 19 Michigan and No. 3 Texas.
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