The Football Brainiacs

The Wait Is Over: It’s Time to Play Some Damn Football

Enough waiting.

Enough talking about fall camp. Enough projecting depth charts. Enough wondering what John Mateer and this Oklahoma offense are going to look like. Enough debating whether this defense can be as nasty as we think it can be.

It’s time to play some football.

The 2026 Oklahoma Sooners are finally taking the field tonight, and while UTEP stands between the Sooners and their first win of the season, this game is about something much bigger.

Because every college football team starts the year with the same dream.

Win the Natty.

Sure, some programs will tell you they’re just trying to get better. Some will talk about taking things one game at a time. Some will lower expectations and insist they’re focused on the process.

That’s fine.

But in Norman?

The standard is different.

Oklahoma doesn’t play football just to have a nice season. The goal is to chase championships. The goal is to put yourself in position to play for everything when December and January roll around.

And here’s a fun little piece of history to get the juices flowing.

The last time Oklahoma won a national championship, the Sooners opened the season against UTEP.

That was 2000.

Bob Stoops’ Sooners walked onto Owen Field, took care of business and blasted the Miners 55-14 before eventually completing one of the greatest seasons in Oklahoma football history.

Twenty-six years later, here we are again.

Different players. Different coaches. Different era.

Same opponent.

Same dream.

And maybe that’s all the excuse Sooner fans need to start believing a little bit.

Because this is where it begins.

Tonight isn’t the national championship game. It isn’t Michigan. It isn’t Texas. It isn’t the SEC gauntlet that awaits.

It’s UTEP.

But every championship season starts somewhere.

Every great Oklahoma team has a first kickoff. A first drive. A first defensive stand. A first touchdown. A first opportunity to announce that this team isn’t here to simply participate.

They’re here to hunt.

So enjoy this one, Sooner fans.

Turn the music up. Put on the crimson. Get the grill going. Make the neighbors wonder why you’re yelling at the television.

Because after months of waiting, debating and obsessing over every little detail, Oklahoma football is back.

The road to the 2026 season starts tonight.

And if you want to dream about where that road could eventually lead?

Well, you know exactly where it ends.

Atlanta? Miami? The College Football Playoff?

No.

Keep going.

The Natty.

That’s the dream.

That’s always the dream.

And tonight, in Norman, the chase finally begins.