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Steve, Craig, Tim, and Steve B welcome you to The Wolverine Den!
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This Week at The Wolverine Den
Game Weather
Oklahoma at Michigan (Maize Out)
Michigan Stadium
September 12, 2026 - 12:00 p.m. ET
Game Preview
The Michigan Wolverines return to Michigan Stadium to take on the Oklahoma Sooners in a rematch of the game held last year in Norman, Oklahoma. Big Noon Kickoff will be at the Big House and the game is on Fox at 12 noon. The Wolverines will be looking to avenge the loss in last year's game.
Pre-game Menu
Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast Potatoes
Sausage
Fruit
Donuts
Post-game Menu
Brats
Snacks
Oklahoma is coming off an appearance in the College Football Playoffs in 2025, losing in the first round to Alabama. They are back this year as one of the top ten teams in the nation with a legitimate shot at making the playoffs again. The Sooners are led by QB John Mateer. In last year's game against Michigan, Mateer threw for 270 yards and rushed for 74 with 3 total TDs. It was his best game of the year. But the Oklahoma offense mostly struggled. They were 112th in the nation in rushing offense, 78th in scoring and 79th in passing efficiency. While they have picked up some transfer portal additions, the Sooners offense is not elite.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
What former Michigan coaches are currently Head Coaches in the NFL?
On the other hand, Oklahoma had one of the best defenses in the county last year. They were 3rd in rushing defense, 6th in total defense and 7th in scoring defense. They did lose about half of their defensive starters but have reloaded and are expected to have another strong defense in 2026.
This is a pivotal game for the Wolverines. Bouncing back from a very uncharacteristic performance in their opening game will not be easy against a strong team like Oklahoma. But that is exactly what the Maize and Blue need to do. The situation is not without precedence. Back in 1972, Michigan was highly ranked to start the season and played a horrible first game of the season, at home, against lowly Northwestern. Michigan won the game 7-0. Michigan would recover and go on to a 10-1 season while Northwestern would finish 2-9.
The Wolverine offense started great against Western, driving right down the field for a touchdown on the opening possession. So we know they can do it. The Wolverine defense played mostly good, except for the 20-play drive in the 2nd half. We didn't give up big plays and we didn't allow any touchdowns. But we also couldn't get off the field and couldn't force any turnovers.
This is only the 3rd meeting ever between Michigan and Oklahoma, with OU winning the 1976 Orange Bowl over the Freshman Rick Leach and company and again in last year's contest. Michigan is 27-15-1 all time against the SEC. The Wolverines are ranked 24/28 in the two polls while OU is 10/11. Michigan has an all-time record of 16-4 when Big Noon Kickoff is at the game.
Michigan is a 5½ point underdog.
Brown's Prediction
23-17
Craig's Prediction
23-20
Steve's Prediction
24-21
Tim's Prediction
24-20
Brown 4, Craig 3, Steve 2, Tim 2