Oklahoma enters Saturday’s matchup at Memorial Stadium at 3–0, riding the momentum of a dominant 42-3 win over Temple, and opening as roughly 7-point favorites against Auburn (also 3–0). The Sooners’ offense has been productive: ranking 28th nationally with ~472.7 yards per game, averaging 6.5 yards per play against Temple with balanced rushing (5.4 ypc) and strong passing output (316.3 passing yards per game). While penalties have been a concern — Oklahoma has given up 108 penalty yards on 14 infractions — their ability to move the ball and control drives has helped them both put up points (33.7 PPG) and rest their defense.
On defense, Oklahoma may have the edge again this week. The Sooners are allowing just 6.3 points per game (4th in the country), surrendering only 1 rushing touchdown all season and no passing touchdowns, while holding opponents to about 84.7 passing yards per game. Auburn meanwhile has been solid rushing (averaging ~242 yards per game, 195 in its last win), but their passing offense and defense aren’t yet at elite levels — they’ve thrown 4 passing touchdowns themselves, but their pass-defense is giving up over 200 passing yards per game. If OU can continue to limit explosive plays and avoid giveaways, and dominate in the trenches early (rush defense and run game on offense), they not only should win — they look well-positioned to cover the -7 spread.—
Kickoff: 2:30 PM CT
Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Television: ABC
Notes & Storylines
- Auburn is one of five Oklahoma opponents playing in Norman for the first time this season. OU already beat Illinois State and Michigan in their Norman debuts in weeks 1 and 2, respectively. The Tigers will mark the Sooners’ 99th all-time opponent at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Ole Miss and LSU will take that number to 101 this season.
- OU is one of only three teams with four players who average 50-plus receiving yards per game (Jaren Kanak [81.7], Deion Burks [75.0], Keontez Lewis [60.3]) and Isaiah Sategna III (52.3]).
- The Sooners lead the SEC in six defensive categories, including total defense (181.0), passing defense (84.7), scoring defense (6.3) and third-down conversion pct. (17.1).
- Oklahoma has forced as many punts through three games (27) as it has allowed first downs (27). The last time OU permitted 27 or fewer first downs through its first three games was 1985 (16).
- OU head coach Brent Venables is 4-0 against Auburn in his coaching career.
- This game marks the return of former OU quarterback Jackson Arnold to Norman. Arnold, who has started each of Auburn’s first three games this season, played in 17 contests over the previous two campaigns and made 10 starts (nine last season). He completed 63% of his passes for 1,984 yards and 16 TDs (six INTs) as a Sooner, and rushed for 560 yards and four TDs.
- John Mateer ranks second nationally with his 368.3 yards of total offense per game. He has registered at least one rushing TD and at least one passing TD in each of his last nine games, good for the longest active streak nationally and tied for the fourth-longest streak since the start of the 2000 season.
- Arnold (64.0) and Mateer (53.7) rank second and third among SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards per game.
- The Sooners have allowed just one rushing touchdown this season (Michigan) and Auburn none.
- OU has yet to allow any points in the first or fourth quarters this season. It has allowed just three points in the second quarter and 16 in the third.
Game Preview Posts
Odds & Predictions
Oklahoma -6.5
Over/Under 47.5
| Caleb | 27-17 Oklahoma |
| Craig | 27-20 Oklahoma |
| Matt | 28-17 Oklahoma |
| Zack | 31-21 Oklahoma |
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