The Oklahoma Sooners and the Ole Miss Rebels will now take the field on Sunday at noon CT after the FAA issued a rare nationwide ground stop Friday afternoon that lasted until 7:15 CT Friday night. This grounding prevented the Rebels from flying into Oklahoma as previously scheduled.
The SEC released a statement after deciding to move the game, saying the Rebels tried everything they could but ultimately couldn’t depart until Saturday afternoon. The reason is the charter company Ole Miss has a contract with.
But moving this game to Sunday now leaves a big question for the Sooners. What happens to the game next Saturday against the Texas A&M Aggies? Oklahoma is scheduled to play that game at 11:00 a.m. CT. That means the Sooners will be having a short week of preparation while also playing an early kickoff. As for Ole Miss, it will take on the Wofford Terriers also at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The scheduling situation creates an additional challenge for Oklahoma as it prepares for the final stretch of the season. Playing Ole Miss on Sunday leaves the Sooners with less time to recover, review film and prepare for a Texas A&M team that presents another difficult SEC matchup. The early kickoff only adds to the challenge, particularly with the physical demands of playing two conference games in such a short span.
For now, Oklahoma will have to focus on getting through the Ole Miss game before turning its attention to the Aggies. Whether the SEC considers any adjustments to next week’s schedule remains an important question, especially given the unusual circumstance surrounding the postponement. It would make the most sense to move that to a night game, although there are TV network things to work through.
Ultimately, the Sooners have little control over the scheduling decisions, but how they manage the compressed turnaround could have a major impact on their final stretch of the season.
1 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall and Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables shake hands before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall and Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables shake hands before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2 / 21
Brent Venables praises Jason Witten after Sooners top Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten and Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables talk before the game by the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3 / 21
Brent Venables confident Jason Witten can become a full-time OC
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten walks on the field during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops talks with Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 / 21
Brent Venables raves about the offensive performance against Florida
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) stiff arms Florida Gators inside linebacker Ty Jackson (7) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6 / 21
Updated Oklahoma Football game-by-game predictions from ESPN
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) gestures with a Gator Chomp during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7 / 21
Brent Venables reveals why more players were involved against Florida
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jacob Jordan (7) runs with the ball during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8 / 21
Brent Venables praised the OL for its play against Florida
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators jack linebacker Jayden Woods (0) looks at Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 / 21
Eli Bowen praises Courtland Guillory for his ‘game-changing’ plays
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) intercepts a pass to Florida Gators wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) throws the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners mascot Boomer sits on the field during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12 / 21
4 OU players to watch this week against Ole Miss
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Ben Hanks III (12) tackles Oklahoma Sooners tight end Rocky Beers (81) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13 / 21
4 OU players to watch this week against Ole Miss
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Rocky Beers (81) attempts to catch a pass while Florida Gators star defensive back Kanye Clark (20) defends during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators cheerleaders perform during a timeout during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15 / 21
Owen Heinecke reveals the message to the team after rough season
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) gestures after a quarterback sack during the first half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackle Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators dazzlers perform during a timeout during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) gestures after making a touchdown during the first half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
20 / 21
Fantastic photos from Oklahoma’s 23-7 win over the Florida Gators
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) reaches for a first down while Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Danny Okoye (16) tackles during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
21 / 21
Oklahoma faces major scheduling question after Ole Miss postponement
Nov 7, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks on the field after the game by the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWireon X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Jaron on X@jaronspor.
