OU football predictions for how John Mateer, Sooners will fare in 2026
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Coming off a first-round appearance in the College Football Playoff, coach Brent Venables and the OU football team open the 2026 season with a top-10 ranking and hopes to make a run an eighth NCAA football title.
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Quarterback John Mateer returns, as does a potent defense for the Sooners.
Here's how The Oklahoman sports staff view the 2026 season playing out for the Sooners and nationally:
Jenni Carlson, columnist
- OU MVP: John Mateer
- OU newcomer: Lloyd Avant
- OU biggest game: Nov. 21, vs Texas A&M
- OU trap game: Nov. 7, at Florida
- OU final record: 9-3
- Heisman winner: Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- College Football Playoff field: BYU, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Navy, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Texas Tech, USC
- National champion: Georgia
Joe Mussatto, columnist
- OU MVP: Taylor Wein
- OU newcomer: Trell Harris
- OU biggest game: Oct. 10, vs. Texas
- OU trap game: Nov. 7, at Florida
- OU final record: 9-3
- Heisman winner: Dante Moore, Oregon
- College Football Playoff field: BYU, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Navy, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, USC
- National champion: Georgia
Jeff Patterson, sports editor
- OU MVP: John Mateer
- OU newcomer: Lloyd Avant
- OU biggest game: Oct. 10 vs. Texas
- OU trap game: Nov. 7, at Florida
- OU final record: 10-2
- Heisman winner: Dante Moore, Oregon
- College Football Playoff field: BYU, Georgia, Indiana, Navy, Notre Dame, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, Texas, Texas Tech
- National champion: Notre Dame
Colton Sulley, OU beat writer
- OU MVP: John Mateer
- OU newcomer: Trell Harris
- OU biggest game: Oct. 10, vs. Texas
- OU trap game: Nov. 7, at Florida
- OU final record: 10-2
- Heisman winner: CJ Carr, Notre Dame
- College Football Playoff field: Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Miami, Navy, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas Tech
- National champion: Notre Dame
Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
- OU MVP: John Mateer
- OU newcomer: Lloyd Avant
- OU biggest game: Nov. 21, vs Texas A&M
- OU trap game: Nov. 7, at Florida
- OU final record: 9-3
- Heisman winner: Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- College Football Playoff field: BYU, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Navy, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Texas Tech, USC
- National champion: Georgia
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football predictions for how John Mateer, Sooners will fare in 2026