Cole Sullivan knows Saturday won’t feel ordinary when Oklahoma walks into Michigan Stadium, and he isn’t pretending otherwise.
The Sooners linebacker, who spent his first two college seasons at Michigan before transferring to Oklahoma this past winter, spoke with reporters in Norman on Monday evening ahead of the trip back to Ann Arbor for a noon kickoff. Sullivan said the matchup will bring some emotion with it, but he’s determined to keep that from changing anything about how he prepares.
“I’m just excited,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to be fun to play against some of my former teammates, some of my good friends over the past couple years.
So I’m really looking forward to that … I think it’s understood what it’s going to be like. We’re buddies off the field, but we all know that once we’re in between the lines we’re not friends in that moment.
We’re just going to play the game how we normally do.
“We say it’s always just a nameless, faceless opponent, so that’s what I’m going to do my best to treat it. Nothing’s going to change in my preparation. Obviously, it’s a special one, but nothing’s going to change in my preparation as far as how I handle myself before the game or during the game.”
That was the theme of Sullivan’s availability: he’s feeling the moment, but not letting it take over. He spoke with obvious respect for the program he left behind, while making clear that the Sooners’ approach this week stays the same.
Michigan’s 13-12 win over Western Michigan was part of the conversation, too. Sullivan called it “a crazy game,” but said Oklahoma won’t treat that result as a reason to alter anything in its own prep.
“It’s definitely not going to affect our process or our prep this week,” he said. “We know they’re a good team.
Obviously, to be able to fight back like that shows their resilience … their (offensive) scheme is very difficult. They have star power everywhere.
The wide receiver (Andrew) Marsh is back, the star wide receiver JJ Buchanan, and obviously the backfield is loaded and the line works very well together as well. So it’s going to be a very tough challenge for us.”
Sullivan also weighed in on Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood after a rough Week 1 showing that drew plenty of criticism. Underwood went 12-of-22 for 170 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one fumble, but Sullivan pushed back on the negative reaction.
“He’s a good dude,” Sullivan said of Underwood. “He’s super confident.
I wouldn’t say he teeters … I don’t think he crosses the line of being too cocky. He’s very confident.
He’s a good leader for that team I believe, and he’s very mature, even for how young he is. He handles himself very well.”
Even with the colors changing, Sullivan still had nothing but praise for the place he’s heading back to. He called The Big House “a really fun place to play,” pointing to its size and the setting around Saturday’s game.
“Obviously, it holds the most people in the country, so any time you get that you get excited. It’s their ‘Maize Out,’ so it’s going to be an electric atmosphere for sure. And it’s going to be a big game - two ranked opponents, it’s always going to be a cool atmosphere.”
In Other News...
Michigan Just Built Recruiting Momentum With Priority Future Targets
A recent game day at Michigan Stadium doubled as a recruiting showcase, with several 2027 and 2028 football prospects making the trip to Ann Arbor to see the Wolverines up close. For a staff that has made long-term talent acquisition a point of emphasis, getting priority future targets on campus and around the program is part of the steady work that can shape a class years before signing day arrives. Some of the visitors already held offers, while others came away with fresh ones, and the early impression was clearly a positive one.
The bigger takeaway is not just that the visits went well, but that Michigan is already building relationships with a group of prospects who could become key names down the road. Recruits, trainers and recruiters all described encouraging conversations and strong reactions to the atmosphere, which is exactly the kind of momentum a program wants when it is trying to stay ahead in the race for younger targets. The process is still early, but the Wolverines have clearly given these prospects something to remember, and something to think about the next time they look at their future options. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Win Sparked A Debate Fans Should Care About
Michigans disputed 13-12 win over Western Michigan did more than leave a messy box score behind. It also revived an old debate about how much fans should be able to see in real time, after ESPN host Rece Davis argued for a single shared game clock and live access to replay officials conversations as a way to make the process more transparent.
The controversy centered on the final sequence, when the broadcast clock showed zero before replay officials restored one second using a synchronized system, setting up Michigans winning touchdown. Officials and conference representatives said the replay process was handled correctly, and Western Michigans president acknowledged the clock difference without seeing unfairness, but the bigger issue lingers for plenty of fans who want the same clarity the officials are working from. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Recruiting Battle Just Got More Important At Quarterback
Michigans recruiting push is still very much in the evaluation stage, but the quarterback spot is already drawing the kind of attention that can shape a class. Four-star Carter Zingelmann is among the prospects the Wolverines have been working on, and the broader visit slate also includes wide receiver Mylan Griggs and 2027 defensive lineman Amanaki Henoa, giving the staff a chance to make its pitch across multiple position groups while the cycle is still wide open.
What makes the quarterback pursuit especially important is how often these recruitment battles come down to repeated visits and comfort level rather than one quick impression. Zingelmann has made clear he is still weighing his options, and Michigan remains in the mix as he looks ahead to upcoming trips and a fuller picture of each program. For the Wolverines, the next few visits could matter as much as any early offer or first look. [Read more 🡒]