The 2006 season may still be more than two months away, but Oklahoma has already finalized its 2007 football schedule.

The 12-game slate is highlighted by OU’s first regular-season meeting with Miami since 1986. The Hurricanes will come to Owen Field Sept. 8 and will be one of three non-conference home games for OU.

North Texas comes to town Sept. 1. The Sooners will also host Utah State and travel to Skelley Stadium to face Tulsa.

“These games fit our philosophy of providing a challenging, yet balanced schedule that prepares our team for the rigors of Big 12 Conference play and a run at postseason championships,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said.

The OU-Miami game will feature two of college football’s top programs.

Since 2000, Miami ranks No. 1 nationally with a winning percentage of .864, with Oklahoma No. 2 at .860. By wins during that same span, OU ranks first with 68, while the Hurricanes are No. 3 with 64.

The Sooners open Big 12 play at Colorado Sept. 29 and follow it up with their annual trek to the Cotton Bowl to face Texas Oct. 6.

Missouri comes to Owen Field Oct. 13, the Sooners travel to Iowa State Oct. 20 and then hosts Oklahoma State on Oct. 27 in the first of another three-game home stand.

Texas A&M is in Norman on Nov. 3 before Baylor visits on Nov. 10. The regular season finale is a Nov. 17 road game against Texas Tech.

Game times will be determined at a later date.

“The process becomes a little more challenging each year, but we are always working to complete our scheduling in a timely fashion to give our campus and fans the appropriate time to plan events,” Castiglione said. “We are pleased that we can announce the 2007 schedule more than a year before it begins.”

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com