About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Sooners got what they hoped would be a season-flipping victory in the Red River Rivalry against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. OU's thrilling 27-24 win could set the stage for bigger things to come in 2026.
Of course, that all depends on whether the Sooners continue to improve as the year goes along, especially on offense. OU's chances of returning to the College Football Playoff still seem slim, but they could play their way into a sold bowl game if they keep turning things around.
Athlon Sports' Steve Lasaan released his latest bowl projections after Week 6, and Oklahoma was included among the non-playoff SEC teams.
In the SEC, the teams that qualify for the CFP are off the board for the remaining bowl selections. The Citrus Bowl picks the top SEC team that doesn't qualify for the playoff.
After that, there's a pool of six bowls, with no pecking order, that will consult with the SEC and school personnel to determine where teams are scheduled. They'll try to create the best possible matchups. For 2026, those bowls (in no particular order) are the Gator Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl, the Liberty Bowl, the Music City Bowl, the ReliaQuest Bowl, and the Texas Bowl.
After that, two more bowls, the Birmingham Bowl and the Gasparilla Bowl, will pick from any bowl-eligible SEC teams that still don't have a landing spot.
Lasaan places OU in the Liberty Bowl in his new picks, and that game will be played on January 2nd in Memphis, Tennessee. The projected matchup for the Sooners is an interesting one, as Lasaan has OU matching up with the West Virginia Mountaineers out of the Big 12.
Of course, the Sooners will face off against former quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., now the Mountaineers' starter. Hawkins spent two seasons in Norman, making five starts and going 2-3. He took over in 2024 after Jackson Arnold was benched, starting three straight games before Arnold replaced him in the lineup.
After starting in the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl against Navy, Hawkins stuck around as the backup to new starter John Mateer in 2025. Hawkins made one more start when Mateer had to have thumb surgery, but played very sparingly the rest of the year. He transferred to WVU last offseason and won the starting job for Rich Rodriguez's Mountaineers.
Hawkins had a very strong start to the season, helping West Virginia open 3-0. However, he's cooled off significantly over the last three weeks, all losses for the Mountaineers. Still, he's been a perfect fit for the run-heavy "RichRod" system in Morgantown.
In the all-time series, Oklahoma leads West Virginia 12-3, including a 10-2 mark this century. The two teams were conference opponents from 2012 to 2023, meeting every season in that stretch except 2020. That game was canceled due to COVID-19. In Big 12 games, the Sooners hold a 10-1 advantage over the Mountaineers.
A Liberty Bowl appearance isn't what the Sooners have in mind this season. After a pivotal win, Oklahoma is looking to improve each week as it tries to turn around a disappointing start and run the table to the College Football Playoff.
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Hero Kanu (93) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Preston Tarpley (33) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates with offensive line Noah Best (52) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Markel Ford (5) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma celebrates a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Alex January (97) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader looks on during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Trent Wilson (90) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) leads the team on the field for warm ups before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pom squad/cheer members pose for a photo before the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rides the Sooner Schooner as he celebrates after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates with his teammates and the Golden Hat after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) while wearing the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Hero Kanu (93) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Preston Tarpley (33) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates with offensive line Noah Best (52) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 7 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Markel Ford (5) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oklahoma celebrates a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 9 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Alex January (97) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader looks on during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Trent Wilson (90) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) leads the team on the field for warm ups before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 14 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pom squad/cheer members pose for a photo before the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 18 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 19 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 20 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rides the Sooner Schooner as he celebrates after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 21 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates with his teammates and the Golden Hat after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 22 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) while wearing the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 23 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images (Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 24 / 24 Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin .
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Where does OU land in Athlon's new bowl projections after Texas win?
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