Oklahoma football fans must circle Week 2 of the 2025 season on their calendars for good reason, according to analyst Eddie Radosevich. Following their season opener against Illinois State on August 30, the Sooners are set to face off against powerhouse Michigan in a matchup that could define the trajectory of their season.
As per Radosevich, the game not only serves as a “litmus test” for the team but also for starting quarterback John Mateer. The analyst feels like this game will be seen as “Game of the Week” given the significance it holds.
“It’s going to be—you talk about a litmus test early in the season—to see what this offense is going to be,” Radosevich said on the Crain Podcast. “I think a lot of people feel like [Michigan] is going to be billed as probably the game of the week. Certainly, from Oklahoma fans’ perspective, it feels like if that’s a game that you could have a breakout for John Mateer, you’re going to kind of know where this offense is at.”
Radosevich further highlighted the Oklahoma Sooners’ tough schedule in the SEC, probably the “toughest” one they have seen yet.
“I think that when you look at the schedule and the SEC conference schedule ahead, it certainly might be one of the toughest schedules in the country—if not the toughest, then one of the toughest schedules Oklahoma has had,” the analyst added. “And I think it’s going to be a true test.”
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After showing flashes of potential last year, Mateer needs to show why he’s revered so highly by taking the program into the College Football Playoff. To get there, they must first pass the Michigan hurdle, before trying to beat the likes of Texas, Auburn, Alabama, and Ole Miss since they are also on the schedule.
Michigan vs Oklahoma: A Brief History
Michigan and Oklahoma are both storied programs in college football but they have only faced each other once before. It happened in the 1975 Orange Bowl, when the then-No. 3 Oklahoma defeated the then-No. 5 Michigan 14–6.
The Week 2 contest in 2025 will mark their first regular-season meeting. Both teams eye a College Football Playoff spot, more so for Oklahoma, since they are seeking validation in their second year with the Southeastern Conference.
John Mateer, who spent his last three seasons with Washington State, transferred to the Sooners and will be their starting quarterback. In 2024, Mateer led his team to an 8-4 record, completing 239 of 366 passes for 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 976 yards on 203 carries along with 18 scores.
Meanwhile, Michigan will go with true freshman and the best player in the 2025 recruiting class, Bryce Underwood, as their starting quarterback.
It remains to be seen if Oklahoma can take down a giant like Michigan in 2025.
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