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Former SEC star thinks Oklahoma will be ready for Michigan game

Former SEC star thinks Oklahoma will be ready for Michigan game

USA Today06-06-2025
Former SEC star thinks Oklahoma will be ready for Michigan game
The Oklahoma Sooners face a very daunting schedule in 2025. Aside from their grueling eight-game SEC schedule, OU has one of their premier nonconference games of the entire college football season in Week 2.
The Sooners will be hosting the Michigan Wolverines in a battle of blue-blood programs representing the two best conferences in the sport, the SEC and the Big Ten. That game takes place on September 6th.
David Pollack, a former college football analyst for "ESPN College GameDay", believes that the Sooners, who likely won't be favored in that matchup, will be ready for the Wolverines when the time comes.
"That Oklahoma game versus Michigan, if you think that's an easy game to pick, I would disagree," Pollack said. "I think it's a "pick-em" at worst and I might even lean Oklahoma because of what they have continuity-wise. I think Oklahoma is going to come in with more continuity with quarterback and play-caller. Oklahoma has the best defensive line in the SEC. Like, I know that for a fact, like I've watched those guys. Inside, if you want to run the football against those defensive tackles, they are a handful. Oklahoma, I think, is going to be one of the most improved teams in the country, period. When you get John Mateer and you get Ben Arbuckle together, Jaydn Ott at running back, if anybody watched OU's defense last year, you had a lot to like."
This matchup also features two head coaches who will be looking for a signature win for their respective careers and a statement opportunity for their respective teams.
Aside from Texas in 2023 and Alabama in 2024, Brent Venables is short on statement wins as the head coach of the Sooners. Two 6-7 seasons in three years have his seat hot entering 2025.
Sherrone Moore is an OU alum who played for the Sooners during the Bob Stoops era. His Michigan team finished strong a year ago, but fell plenty of rungs in a Big Ten conference that they won for three straight seasons in Moore's first year.
With all of the offseason changes the Sooners have made since last year ended, Oklahoma looks to be in a better position to make more statements in a positive way in 2025.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
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