No. 10 Oklahoma kicks off its season today as a massive 41.5-point home favorite against UTEP (8 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
My UTEP vs. Oklahoma prediction and college football picks for Friday's opener targets the Sooners to come out firing and cover early on Sept. 4.
TOP PICK
UTEP vs Oklahoma prediction: Oklahoma 1H -23.5 (52.63%)
The editors at Covers put me on this write-up knowing I was all in on the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026, taking the over on their win total and adding John Mateer to win the Heisman Trophy. They made the right decision, as this Oklahoma team should come out firing as they host the UTEP Miners in Week 1.
The Sooners should be a prepared and cohesive unit — the complete opposite of what we saw from Florida State in Week 0.
The 2026 Sooners get Mateer back fully healthy, with another full offseason to improve his craft. Before his injury last season, the Oklahoma starting quarterback was making a serious case to be a Heisman Trophy candidate. He was averaging more than one passing and rushing touchdown per game while throwing for more than 300 yards apiece.
After boasting one of the most dominant defenses in the country last season, Brent Venables brings back another loaded unit, highlighted by an extremely talented secondary. The Sooners lost some experience up front, but with one of the SEC's best edge rushers in Taylor Wein, they should be just fine.
Venables and his boys should be starving to kick off the season, getting out to a big early lead, and resting their starters by the third quarter.
COVERS INTEL: Last season, Oklahoma led the country in sacks and tackles for loss per game, while ranking fourth in yards per play allowed and seventh in scoring defense. 
UTEP vs Oklahoma same-game parlay (SGP): 5.15x
I’m already a big fan of the Sooners to take a massive lead into halftime, one that allows them to take their foot off the gas in the third quarter and bring in the backups. That’s also why the alt-line under 57.5 and UTEP team total under 7.5 are in play.
The 7.5 team total gives the Oklahoma defense a safety cushion in case of a big play. However, the Miners should score little to nothing in this matchup with how loaded Oklahoma is on the defensive side of the ball.
Even if UTEP doesn’t score much, Oklahoma will likely take their foot off the gas in the second half. The Sooners travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan after this matchup, so it’s doubtful they will want to show their entire playbook right out of the gate.
UTEP vs Oklahoma SGP
- Oklahoma 1H -23.5
- UTEP Team Total Under 7.5
- Full Game Under 57.5
UTEP vs Oklahoma odds today
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: UTEP +41.5 | Oklahoma -41.5
- Over/Under: Over 51.5 (52.63%) | Under 51.5 (51.81%)
- Moneyline: UTEP 1% | Oklahoma 99%
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UTEP vs Oklahoma weather
The weather in this matchup will be scorching hot, with temperatures in the low 90s and winds around 14 mph.
Check out our college football weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
UTEP vs Oklahoma trend to know
UTEP has only covered the spread in one of its last nine games (-7.80 Units / -79% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for UTEP vs. Oklahoma.
How to watch UTEP vs Oklahoma today
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK |
| Date | Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | SEC Network |
UTEP vs Oklahoma latest injuries
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