The Oklahoma Sooners begin their 2025 football season today with a home game against Illinois State. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium in Norman. After a disappointing 6-7 season last year, including a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, the Sooners are looking to start strong against an Illinois State team that reached the second round of the FCS playoffs with a 10-4 record.
How to Watch the Game
The game will be streamed on SEC Network+. Richard Cross will be providing play-by-play commentary, with Tyoka Jackson as the analyst. Madison Hock will be reporting from the sidelines.
What to Expect
Oklahoma legend Brian Bosworth has some advice for the Sooners heading into this game. With a tough matchup against Michigan looming in Week 2, Bosworth wants to see the Sooners come out with intensity and play at top speed against Illinois State. He emphasized the importance of acceleration and maximum effort, even if the starters don't play the entire game.
“I need to see acceleration where smoke comes out of their cleats,” Bosworth said, emphasizing the need for the team to be firing on all cylinders from the start.
Looking Ahead
The Sooners are heavily favored in this game, with predictions pointing towards a significant point differential. However, this game serves as an important tune-up before facing a much tougher opponent in Michigan next week.
Oklahoma's Upcoming Schedule:
- Aug. 30: vs. Illinois State, 5 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Sept. 6: vs. Michigan, 6:30 p.m. (ABC)
- Sept. 13: at Temple, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
- Sept. 20: vs. Auburn, TBD
- Oct. 4: vs. Kent State, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Oct. 11: vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m. in Dallas (ABC or ESPN)
- Oct. 18: at South Carolina, TBD
- Oct. 25: vs. Ole Miss, TBD
- Nov. 1: at Tennessee, TBD
- Nov. 15: at Alabama, TBD
- Nov. 22: vs. Missouri, 11 a.m. (ABC or ESPN)
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