John Mateer shows respect to Michigan's defense after a narrow win

In the 2026 college football season, Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan Wolverines exhibited contrasting starts. The Sooners dominated Texas at El Paso Miners with a 51-0 victory, while the Wolverines emerged victorious over Western Michigan Broncos with a last-minute Hail Mary touchdown, winning 13-12. Despite the narrow victory, the Sooners remain undeterred by the noise surrounding the Wolverines' performance.

Michigan's defense proved its mettle by limiting the Sooners to just 221 yards of total offense, including 89 yards passing. Quarterback John Mateer commended the Wolverines' defense during the pregame, stating, "They're good. They played a good game. They didn't get a touchdown scored on them. I know there's a lot of noise, whatever, but the facts are the facts; they didn't get a touchdown scored on them. They've got a lot of talent."

Oklahoma anticipates a more challenging contest against Michigan, given the Wolverines' formidable defensive front. The Sooners recognize that Saturday's matchup will provide a clearer picture of both teams' capabilities beyond their Week 1 results. Mateer is more focused on the upcoming game than judging Michigan solely based on their final score.

While the Wolverines may have struggled offensively, their defense demonstrated its ability to keep a team in contention. With Oklahoma bringing an explosive offense to the Big House, Michigan's defense could present the greatest challenge, potentially standing in the way of the Sooners' pursuit of a second straight victory over Michigan.