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Oklahoma-Texas: Three Keys to the Game

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Oklahoma-Texas: Three Keys to the Game


DALLAS — Oklahoma is a 9-point underdog Saturday in opposition to rival Texas. It’s the primary time in 13 years the Sooners aren’t favored to win the Crimson River Shootout.

After back-to-back losses for under the second time since 1999, OU’s again is up in opposition to the wall. The Sooners have been badly blown out final week at TCU, however in a rivalry recreation like this, each side know the opposite has an opportunity to steal victory.

Listed below are three issues OU should do to go away Dallas with a win on Saturday afternoon:

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Wind the Clock

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby likes to run his offense with excessive tempo. That’s what he would favor.

However the Sooners have confirmed again and again by means of 5 video games this season that up-tempo isn’t at all times an excellent factor.

On this case, it may be a catastrophe.

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Shortly giving the ball again to a potent Texas offense — particularly in opposition to an OU protection that’s reeling from lack of consistency and insecurity — would work to Oklahoma’s detriment.

Lebby must scheme up the Texas protection so the OU floor recreation can wind clock and shorten the sport. If Texas has greater than 11-12 possessions, the Longhorns’ possibilities of profitable go up. Oklahoma gained’t win a shootout with this offense.

First up, Lebby can discover a set of performs or personnel packages that backup quarterback Davis Beville (or juco switch Normal Booty, or freshman Nick Evers, if it involves that) is comfy with and has operated with success in observe. Discover what they like, and ideal it.

Second, contain the quarterbacks within the run recreation. Evers appears an excellent match, though Micah Bowens may present his worth right here.

Third, work the play clock. There’s completely no must snap the soccer with greater than 10 seconds displaying. That doesn’t match what Lebby desires to do, however good coaches alter to their personnel.

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And fourth, with a scary lack of expertise at quarterback, there’s no purpose to play a bunch of broad receivers. They’re not nice blockers, and also you’re not going to throw them the soccer anyway. Lebby ought to deploy numerous heavy personnel — tight ends Brayden Willis, Daniel Parker and perhaps freshman Jason Llewellyn, plus Tawee Walker, who received a snap or two at fullback at Nebraska, or perhaps line up some jumbos within the backfield on quick yardage performs — and double his efforts on working the soccer.

Bust Out

That’s every part for the protection: take the busts out of the playbook.

When requested about communication breakdowns and gamers not getting the suitable indicators, defensive coordinator Ted Roof stated the Sooners don’t have any calls that permit for receivers to run 20 yards previous the defender.

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However you won’t realize it by watching final week’s recreation at TCU. 

If Roof is asking one protection however the safeties assume they’re enjoying a unique protection, the result’s regularly a landing for the opposite group. 

In opposition to Texas, Roof ought to streamline the decision sheet and simplify the communication course of. The Longhorns are ok to attain 40 with out assist from the OU protection. If the Sooners don’t remove the busts, Texas will attempt to rating 60.

Dynamic Duo

Texas has certainly one of faculty soccer’s greatest working again/broad receiver tandems in Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy. It’ll be close to not possible to cease them each. 

So specializing in the one who’s assured to get the soccer 20 instances or extra — Robinson — may very well be the best choice. Quarterback Quinn Ewars’ return to the lineup means coach Steve Sarkisian will take a look at the OU secondary deep. 

The Sooners must attempt to get to Ewars by means of standard strategies, with an occasional blitz blended in, however can’t compromise their defensive integrity to get there. Worthy will get his catches — 6-8 might be the suitable quantity for the OU protection — however Woodi Washington and Jaden Davis and D.J. Graham and the security corps merely must restrict his yards after catch. 

It’s Robinson that the OU protection can’t afford to let roll unchecked down the sector. Fanatical effort to the soccer and gang-tackling Robinson is on the prime of OU’s defensive to-do checklist. Including a security to the field may be the one approach to do this, however that might permit for an enormous day from tight finish Ja’Tavion Sanders or wideout Jordan Whittington over the center. 

Nonetheless, that’s preferable to Robinson speeding for 225 yards.



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What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds

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What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds


The No. 21 ranked Oklahoma Sooners face the Auburn Tigers with a true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. being named the starter after an impressive second half in a loss to Tennessee last week. This game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 28 with a live broadcast on ABC, and streaming live on ESPN Plus.

WATCH: Auburn vs. Oklahoma football live for FREE with Fubo (free trial), or stream this game and more on the cheap with one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

The betting odds for this game have moved all over the place, originally opening with the Sooners as the favorites. However, most sportsbooks now have Auburn as slight favorites over Oklahoma in this matchup.

What TV channel is the Oklahoma vs. Auburn game on?

When: Kickoff takes place at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, September 28.

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Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium | Auburn, AL

TV Channel: ABC, and streaming on ESPN Plus

How to watch live stream online: If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). If you are out of free trials, the cheapest and best way to watch this game and more football this month is by signing up for one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

If you already have a cable or satellite subscription already, you can watch the game on Watch ESPN or the ESPN app by signing in with your provider information.

You can find out more about which channel ABC is on in your area by using the channel finders here: Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice.

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Oklahoma vs. Auburn spread, betting odds

Point Spread: OU: +1 | AUB: -1

Moneyline: OU: -105 | AUB: -115

Over/Under: 44.5



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LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn

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LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn


The list of unavailable players for the Sooners just keeps growing. 

Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough will not be available for OU’s game against Auburn at 2:30 pm. Saturday, according to the most recent SEC availability report that was released Friday night. McCullough also missed last week’s game against Tennessee after being listed as doubtful most of last week. He was listed as questionable this week until Friday. 

McCullough joined a list of 10 other Sooners that will be unavailable for Week 5. The only other OU player included on the availability report was offensive lineman Jake Taylor, who was listed as probable. Unless he’s considered a game-time decision, Taylor’s status will be known when the final availability report is released 90 minutes before OU and Auburn kicks off. 

The bright side of this week’s report is that it looks like Geirean Hatchett, who is out for the season, will be the only offensive lineman the Sooners will not have available.

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Those unavailable include five of OU’s top receivers in Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Deion Burks. Gibson has already been ruled out for the season, while Farooq is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his foot in the Sooners’ season opener against Temple. Anderson made his first appearance of the season last week but was injured during the opening drive. 

Burks was the newest receiver added to OU’s injured reserve on Thursday after also suffering an injury against Tennessee. Burks is the Sooners’ leading receiver with 26 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The next leading pass catcher is tight end Bauer Sharp with 14 catches and 116 yards. 

So many injuries to OU receivers even influenced Brent Venables to switch cornerback Jacobe Johnson to wide receiver. And the Sooners are enduring all these injuries at receiver as freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to make his first career start Saturday.

Freshman running back Taylor Tatum and defensive back Kendel Dolby were also injured last week. Tatum was ruled out on Thursday, while Dolby, who plays the cheetah position, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. Fellow defensive back Gentry Williams was also ruled unavailable for Saturday. 

The biggest shock of this week was kicker Tyler Keltner, who will be unavailable after an emergency appendectomy. Zach Schmit will presumably take over all kicking duties after participating in only kickoffs so far this season. 

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As for Auburn, the Tigers’ list is much shorter. Auburn will be without defensive backs Tyler Scott and Champ Anthony, as well as tight end Brandon Frazier. Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes, kicker Alex McPherson and offensive lineman Izavion Miller are listed as probable. 

WR Jayden Gibson, Out
LB Dasan McCullough, Out
WR Jalil Farooq, Out
WR Nic Anderson, Out
WR Andrel Anthony, Out
WR Deion Burks, Out
RB Taylor Tatum, Out
DB Gentry Williams, Out
DB Kendel Dolby, Out
OL Geirean Hatchett, Out
K Tyler Keltner, Out
OL Jake Taylor, Probable

DB Tyler Scott, Out
DB Champ Anthony, Out
TE Brandon Frazier, Out
DL Isaiah Raikes, Probable
K Alex McPherson, Probable
OL Izavion Miller, Probable



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Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners

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Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners


Veteran quarterback Payton Thorne will start for Auburn when No. 21 Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday afternoon, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel Friday.

Thorne, the former Michigan State transfer, started 13 games for the Tigers last fall. He returned as the program’s starter in 2024 before he was replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown in Week 3. In Thorne, Auburn will have an experienced starter under center in Week 5 against a Sooners defense that leads the nation in turnovers (12) and ranks 28th in total defense this fall.

Auburn initially turned to Brown after Thorne threw a career-high four interceptions in a 21-14 home defeat to Cal on Sept. 7. Brown led the Tigers past New Mexico in his first career start in Week 3, but struggled against Arkansas last Saturday, completing 7-of-13 passes for 72 yards with three interceptions. After Auburn went scoreless before halftime, Thorne took over at quarterback in the second half of the 24-14 home loss, finishing 13-for-23 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and interception.

Both quarterbacks turned in strong weeks of practice ahead of this weekend’s visit from Oklahoma, but Auburn will go with Thorne Saturday, banking on his experience and the momentum he built in his relief work against Arkansas as the Tigers chase their first SEC win of 2024.

Auburn hosts the Sooners at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC in Oklahoma’s first SEC road game.

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