​The 2026 college football season is a little over six weeks away, which means we’re getting into the throes of prediction season. Oklahoma is a power in the SEC. After a 10-2 season and a playoff appearance, Oklahoma has high expectations for 2026. The Sooners have a team ready to make another College Football Playoff run, but they also have one of the tougher schedules in college football.Thus is life in the SEC.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGames against Michigan, Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M will tell the tale of OU’s season. If they want to make the playoff, they’ll have to finish above .500 in those five games and win the other seven. It’s unlikely a 9-3 Oklahoma would make the playoff, even with their difficult schedule.So the mission. Just win. Win, and everything takes care of itself.Prior to each season, and after each game, we take a look at how the ESPN matchup predictor sees the Oklahoma Sooners schedule playing out. The matchup predictor is a projection relative to ESPN’s Football Power Index, which takes into account recent success, recruiting, prowess, and strength of schedule.Here’s how ESPN Analytics projects the Oklahoma Sooners to fare in 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOklahoma coach Brent Venables runs onto the field before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma won 45-13.Predicted Winner: OklahomaSooners Win Probability: 99%Projected running record: 1-0Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) applies pressure on Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesPredicted Winner: MichiganSooners Win Probability: 47.8%Projected running record: 1-1Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to make a pass in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium.Predicted Winner: OklahomaSooners Win Probability: 94.9%Projected running record: 2-1Jan 1, 2018; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsPredicted Winner: GeorgiaSooners Win Probability: 23%Projected running record: 2-2Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) drops back to pass during the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.Predicted Winner: TexasSooners Win Probability: 24.4%Projected running record: 2-3Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) throws the ball during the Kentucky Football spring game on April 18, 20