Georgia vs. Oklahoma: Only One Previous Meeting Before 2026 Rematch
College football fans are about to see a matchup that has been a long time coming.
The Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma Sooners have met only once in college football history. Their lone meeting came in the 2017 season, when the two programs delivered one of the most memorable games in recent College Football Playoff history.
Now, nearly nine years later, Georgia and Oklahoma are set to meet again on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
Georgia and Oklahoma Have Met Only Once
Despite both programs having long and successful histories in college football, Georgia and Oklahoma had never played each other until the 2018 Rose Bowl.
That first matchup immediately became an unforgettable one.
Georgia entered the College Football Playoff semifinal ranked No. 3, while Oklahoma was ranked No. 2. The game lived up to the expectations as both teams traded big plays throughout the afternoon.
Georgia eventually defeated Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime to advance to the national championship game. The Bulldogs' official history lists the 2018 Rose Bowl as the only previous meeting between the two programs, giving Georgia a 1-0 advantage in the series.
The 2018 Rose Bowl Was an All-Time Classic
The first Georgia-Oklahoma meeting was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2018.
Oklahoma came out strong and led Georgia 31-17 at halftime. The Bulldogs fought their way back in the second half, eventually forcing overtime.
The game remained tied after the first overtime period before Georgia finally secured the victory in the second overtime.
With Oklahoma facing a field-goal attempt, Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter blocked the kick. Sony Michel then delivered the decisive play, breaking around the corner for a 27-yard touchdown that ended the thriller.
The 54-48 result remains one of the highest-scoring and most memorable CFP semifinal games. The College Football Playoff's historical records also list Georgia's victory over Oklahoma in that Rose Bowl.
Georgia vs. Oklahoma Finally Meet Again
The long-awaited rematch will take place at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
This time, the matchup comes as a conference game after Oklahoma joined the SEC. Georgia enters the game ranked No. 2 nationally, while Oklahoma is also beginning a new chapter as an SEC opponent.
Georgia's official schedule lists the kickoff for 3:30 p.m. ET on September 26, 2026, with ESPN or ABC carrying the game. It will also be Oklahoma's first trip to Athens.
The contrast between the two meetings makes the rematch even more interesting. Their first matchup required double overtime in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Their second meeting will take place during the regular season with both programs now competing in the SEC.
A Rare College Football Matchup
It is unusual for two major college football programs with such long histories to have played only once before.
Georgia and Oklahoma have both built nationally recognized football traditions, yet their paths rarely crossed on the field. Their first meeting immediately produced a classic, and now fans finally get another chapter.
Georgia currently leads the all-time series 1-0, meaning Oklahoma will be looking to even the series while Georgia attempts to maintain its perfect record against the Sooners.
The history may be limited, but the first chapter could hardly have been more dramatic.
Now, college football fans get to see what the second chapter brings.