Kickoff: 5:00 PM CT
Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Television: ESPN+/SECN+
No. 18 Oklahoma kicks off its 131st football season on Saturday when it hosts Illinois State at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, marking the Sooners’ second year in the SEC and fourth under head coach Brent Venables. The matchup, televised on SEC Network+ and ESPN+, is the program’s 1,352nd all-time contest and comes with plenty of history behind it — OU enters with a .723 winning percentage, the fifth-best in college football annals. The Sooners have been a model of consistency, ranked in the preseason AP poll for 26 straight years and winning 101 of 130 season openers, including eight in a row and 14 of their last 15. That dominance extends to Norman, where OU has claimed 18 consecutive home openers since 2005. With a proud tradition that includes seven national championships, seven Heisman winners, and 50 conference titles, Oklahoma looks to add another strong chapter as it begins its 2025 campaign.
Notes & Storylines
- The 2025 season marks the 131st in OU football history.
- The Sooners rank fifth in college football annals with their .723 all-time winning percentage (950-348-53 record).
- OU is 101-23-6 all-time in season openers and has won its last eight such contests and 14 of its last 15.
- This marks the 26th straight season the Sooners have been ranked in the preseason AP poll.
- OU’s all-time average preseason AP rank is a nation-best 7.07. Alabama is second at 7.10.
- Illinois State is one of five OU opponents this season that will make their Norman debut. The others are Michigan, Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU. Only Kent State and Missouri have played at OU.
- Oklahoma will play a nation-hightying seven games this year vs. teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. The three other teams to do that are fellow SEC members Florida, LSU and Mississippi State.
- Illinois State, an NCAA Division I FCS program in its 17th year under head coach Brock Spack, is ranked No. 6 in the preseason FCS coaches and media polls.
- The Redbirds return 43 letterwinners and 12 starters from its 2024 team, including six 2025 preseason All-Americans.
- Of Oklahoma’s 111 players, 45 (or 41%) are newcomers.
Game Preview Post
Odds & Predictions
Oklahoma -37.5
Over/Under 61.5
| Caleb | 63-13 Oklahoma |
| Craig | 42-7 Oklahoma |
| Matt | 48-13 Oklahoma |
| Zack | 49-10 Oklahoma |
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