3 bold predictions for Oklahoma's final nonconference game vs. Kent State
(by Dekota Gregory) 1. Tory Blaylock and Michael Hawkins Jr. rush for over 100 yards: The Oklahoma Sooners' biggest struggle so far this season has been their running game, especially outside of quarterback John Mateer, who will miss the game against Kent State on Saturday after having surgery on his throwing hand last week. But even...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Sooners Illustrated Staff Picks: No. 5 Oklahoma vs Kent State
(by Josh Callaway) For the last time this regular season, No. 5 Oklahoma is stepping outside of SEC play for a Saturday afternoon matchup with Kent State out of the MAC at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. On Thursday's edition of the Sooners Illustrated Podcast and Friday's Sooners Illustrated Game Preview...read more w/video from Sooners Illustrated
The One Big Thing About Oklahoma-Kent State Actually Started Last Week
(by John E. Hoover) A question that will never be answered in good faith: What percentage of Oklahoma’s practice snaps these past two weeks were focused on this Saturday’s opponent (Kent State), and what percentage were focused on next Saturday’s (Texas)? If the answer lies somewhere in the 20:80 ratio — then it could have been more...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
'Big-time playmaker': OU wide receiver Javonnie Gibson set to make Sooner debut against Kent State
(by Daniel Homrok) The long recovery is over for redshirt junior wide receiver Javonnie Gibson. The Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer was projected to play a big role in OU’s offense this fall, but an injury during spring practice caused him to miss all of fall camp and the Sooners’ first four games of the season. Last season, Gibson totaled 70...read more from the OU Daily
Oklahoma Defense Remains Confident Turnovers Will Come, but the Time is now
(by Ryan Aber) Oklahoma’s defense has been excellent through four games. There’s no denying that. The Sooners enter Saturday’s non-conference finale against Kent State (3 p.m., SEC Network) in the top nationally in virtually every major defensive category. OU is second nationally in total defense (207.5 yards per game), leads FBS in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
The Monster Is Fed: Oklahoma's Journey to the 1985 National Title
(by Brady Trantham) By the early 1980s, the dominance of the program Barry Switzer inherited in 1973 had begun to fade. Throughout the 1970s, the University of Oklahoma was a machine that had cut through college football with relentless ease. The wishbone had spread to Norman, and the sport couldn’t touch the Sooners. Even some of...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Viral message board post giving Oklahoma fans hope for John Mateer's return
(by Dekota Gregory) Let's be clear, this is not an official report, but Oklahoma Sooners fans are believing OU quarterback John Mateer could return from a throwing hand injury in time to play against Texas in the Red River Rivalry because of a message board post that went viral this week. A message boards post on TexAgs.com, a site that...read more from Stormin' in Norman
SIP Ep. 214 | Oklahoma Recruiting Roundup: OU stays hot with 2026 commitment + Superb start in 2027
(by Josh Callaway) With Oklahoma continuing their immense momentum on the recruiting trail, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy break down all the latest recruiting news for OU, starting first with the commitments of 2026 wide receiver...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Defensive tackle David Stone having the breakout season OU needed
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — With Auburn facing first-and-20 early in the second quarter, David Stone went to work. The sophomore tackle twisted to the inside, easily beating the Auburn right guard. By the time Auburn’s left guard came to help, it was too late. Stone easily made his way to quarterback Jackson Arnold, sacking...read more from the OUInsider
Sooners on SI Podcast: Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Takes Center Stage on Saturday
(by Ryan Chapman) John Hoover, Ryan Chapman, Carson Field and Ryan Aber got together for the 301st episode of the Sooners on SI Podcast to preview No. 5 Oklahoma's non-conference finale against Kent State. Brent Venables has spoken to local media members twice since the last pod, with sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr...listen to podcast from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
SoonerScoop podcast: OU returns, it's the Michael Hawkins show (for now)
(by Bob Przybylo) It is October and OU is among the undefeated teams in college football. Nobody expects that to change this weekend, but there is still some intrigue. As John Mateer continues to recover from right thumb surgery, this is the weekend for Michael Hawkins Jr. to show what he can do. It might be the only one, for all we know...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
Oklahoma Sooners named 'most improved' by USA TODAY Sports
(by John Williams) The Oklahoma Sooners needed a start like the one they've enjoyed. They're 4-0 and 1-0 in SEC play and earned a pair of wins over AP Top 25 teams. They're the only team in the SEC with two top 25 wins. It's a drastic difference from the team we saw in 2024. Oklahoma still has a lot to prove, but with the way they've...read more from the Sooners Wire
COMMIT: Oklahoma lands 2026 wide receiver Brayden Allen
(by Collin Kennedy) The Oklahoma Sooners add to their 2026 recruiting class. Brayden Allen out of Lafayette (La.) Christian Academy has announced via social media his official OU commitment. Allen becomes the 20th member of Oklahoma's current 2026 commit class. He's the ninth offensive player to pledge and the third wide receiver...read more from Sooners Illustrated
How Oklahoma's Coaching Staff, Scouting Department Have Complemented Each Other
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — The Sooners have adapted well to the constantly-changing landscape of college football. With student-athletes now allowed to profit off of revenue sharing and name, image and likeness, Oklahoma added a support staff to complement the Sooners’ coaching staff during the offseason. “In many ways, things...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Venables, Sooners know they need to start forcing turnovers: 'The stove is hot'
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — Oklahoma began Monday’s practice with presentation on turnovers from cornerbacks coach Jay Valai. The presentation included video examples of plays from college and NFL defenses, and it also showed the offense how defenses are taught to force takeaways. Why? Because turnover margin has...read more from the OUInsider
2025 Week 6 Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes @ Oklahoma Sooners
(by Steve Helwick) Non-conference games are becoming a rarity as the calendar flips from September to Oklahoma, but we’ve still got one lined up in Norman, OK. Oklahoma and Kent State scheduled another matchup after squaring off for the first time three years ago. That was Brent Venables’ debut season at Oklahoma and he remains...read more from the Hustle Belt (SB Nation)
How Oklahoma DB Courtland Guillory Can Build on Tough Game vs. Auburn
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — For the first time of his college career, Courtland Guillory looked like a true freshman against Auburn. In the No. 5-ranked Sooners’ 24-17 win over the Tigers, the standout first-year cornerback was tasked with covering star wide receiver Cam Coleman. A 6-3, 201-pound sophomore wideout, Coleman caught...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Takeaways from Oklahoma Coach Brent Venables' Press Conference Ahead of Kent State
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — Coming off a bye week and heading into Saturday's game against Kent State, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables held his weekly press conference Tuesday. The Sooners are 4-0 and ranked No. 5 in the country, their highest ranking in four seasons under Venables. OU will take on Kent State at 3 p.m...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
RB Jaydn Ott Was 'Dialed In' Throughout Oklahoma's Bye Week
(by Brady Trantham) Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle lit up when asked about Jaydn Ott during his weekly press conference. As the No. 5 Sooners prepare to host the Kent State Golden Flashes, much of the conversation surrounding Oklahoma centers around the status of quarterback John Mateer and the annual rumble in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle addresses head coach rumors for first time
(by Dekota Gregory) The Oklahoma Sooners got just a few games with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle before the possibility of losing him. At only 30 years old, Arbuckle, after transforming the Sooners' offense in his first season at OU, has already emerged as a hot head coach candidate as big-time jobs are already open heading...read more from Stormin' in Norman
