Michigan exercises clock demons from week one win, vanquishes 11th ranked Oklahoma in Ann Arbor

Michigan didn’t need any help from a phantom clock this week.

The Wolverines used a steady dose of quarterback runs and won the turnover battle en route to a 17-10, grind-it-out win over 11th-ranked Oklahoma in Ann Arbor.

Just one week removed from a controversial victory against Western Michigan, in which officials added an extra second to the clock to allow for a game-winning Hail Mary, many had written the Wolverines off for dead.

Instead, head coach Kyle Whittingham and his team buckled down and rose to the challenge.

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Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Michigan Wolverines talks with referees in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 12, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Getty Images)

Make no mistake about it, this was a vintage Big Ten performance.

A lot of talk in the offseason was spent on how elite Oklahoma’s defense was, and while the Sooners’ unit played admirably, the Michigan defense was stifling and, at times, completely suffocating.

John Mateer, who many tapped as a dark horse Heisman contender heading into 2026, was harassed all day long by the Wolverines, completing just 52% of his passes and tossing an interception to boot.

For his part, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood rebounded nicely, specifically on the ground.

Bryce Underwood #19 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to throw a first-half pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 12, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Getty Images)

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The beleaguered sophomore carried the ball 18 times for 87 yards and found the end zone late in the first quarter to help the Wolverines draw first blood.

The Sooners entered as 5.5-point favorites and, more importantly, College Football Playoff hopefuls. They still have plenty of time to right the ship, but losing to a Michigan team in transition has to feel like a splash of cold water to the face in Norman.

John Mateer No. 10 of the Oklahoma Sooners calls a play in the huddle in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 12, 2026. (Getty Images)

Somehow, the Wolverines are 2-0 after the first two weeks of the college football season. If you had said that 60:01 of game time earlier, even the most optimistic Michigan fan would have laughed in your face.

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Now the Maize and Blue have a signature win under their belt, which could be the difference between a trip to the CFP and a prolonged offseason come December.