Oklahoma Favored as Michigan Deals With Key Absences Ahead of Week 2 Showdown

The Sooners visit Ann Arbor as 5.5-point favorites while the Wolverines rule out top freshman Carter Meadows and tight end Hogan Hansen for Saturday’s noon ET kickoff.

Oklahoma arrives in Ann Arbor as a road favorite for a noon ET kickoff at Michigan Stadium, carrying momentum from a 51-0 season-opening rout of UTEP while Michigan looks to steady itself after a 13-12 escape against Western Michigan that required a last-second Hail Mary.cbssports+2

The Sooners (1-0) are listed as 5.5-point favorites in early markets, with the game total set at 43.5 points, reflecting confidence in an offense that produced 401 yards and three touchdown passes from quarterback John Mateer in Week 1. Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three scores without an interception, and receiver Isaiah Sategna III added 76 receiving yards and a touchdown while also returning a punt 88 yards for a score.cbssports+1

Michigan (1-0) will be without several contributors against a ranked opponent. Five-star freshman edge rusher Carter Meadows and tight end Hogan Hansen are both out for a second straight week, a team spokesman confirmed to the Detroit Free Press. Highly touted offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who missed last season with a torn ACL and has been working back from a minor camp injury, was not in uniform warming up with the offensive line before the game, indicating he is not available.freep

The Wolverines’ offense leaned heavily on receiver JJ Buchanan in Week 1. He finished with 126 receiving yards on four catches, including the 47-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired. Quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and added a team-high 47 rushing yards, but Michigan’s coaching staff has emphasized the need for cleaner execution against a defense that allowed just 86 passing yards to UTEP.cbssports+1

Prediction markets ahead of kickoff reflected Oklahoma’s edge. On Polymarket, the Sooners carried a 68% implied probability to win, compared with 32% for Michigan, while Kalshi listed the market for Oklahoma to win by more than 5.5 points at roughly even pricing. CBS Sports’ game preview highlighted Oklahoma’s recent success on the road against ranked non-conference opponents and noted Michigan’s four-game losing streak versus ranked teams as context for the matchup.cbssports

With Michigan Stadium expected to be loud for a midday Big Ten–SEC style crossover, the game projects as a test of whether the Wolverines’ defense can contain Mateer’s efficiency and mobility while their offense creates enough explosive plays to offset Oklahoma’s early advantage.cbssports+1

KEY FACTS:
● Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, 12 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.foxsports+1
● TV/Stream: Fox broadcast; streaming available via Fubo and DIRECTV (free trials).foxsports+1
● Michigan absences: 5-star freshman edge Carter Meadows and TE Hogan Hansen out; OT Andrew Babalola not in uniform pregame.freep