The fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners are set to host the Kent State Golden Flashes this afternoon at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, wrapping up their non-conference slate before diving deeper into SEC waters. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Central Time on the SEC Network, and with the Sooners riding a perfect 4-0 record, expectations are sky-high for a straightforward victory. Yet, as always in college football, nothing's ever quite that simple.
Oklahoma enters this matchup fresh off a gritty 24-17 win over Auburn last week, showcasing a defense that's been stingy all season—allowing just nine points per game, second to none in the nation. Michael Hawkins Jr., the young quarterback stepping into bigger shoes, threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in that game, but the run game lagged behind at a mere 3.6 yards per carry. Against Kent State, who's surrendered a whopping 44 points per contest and ranks dead last in total defense, the Sooners' ground attack could finally click. Jaydn Ott and the backfield might feast on a Golden Flashes unit that gave up 498 rushing yards to Florida State earlier this year.
Kent State, limping in at 1-3, has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. Their lone win came against a lesser opponent, but the losses pile up with porous play—over 500 yards allowed in key defeats. Coach Kenni Burns will lean on whatever spark he can muster, perhaps testing Oklahoma's secondary with quick passes. However, the talent gap is glaring; the Sooners' linebackers, led by experienced vets, should smother any hopes of an upset. Indeed, Oklahoma paid $1.5 million to bring Kent State to Norman, a standard buy game in the modern schedule, but one that underscores the Sooners' need for momentum heading into the Red River Rivalry next week.
Weather in Norman looks clear, mid-70s with light winds—ideal for a high-scoring affair from OU's perspective. Fans are buzzing, though some whisper concerns about complacency after a soft early schedule. Moreover, with Hawkins still finding his rhythm, this could be the tune-up game that solidifies the offense before Texas looms large.
As the clock ticks toward kickoff, one wonders if Kent State can summon enough fight to make this more than a blowout, or if Oklahoma's precision will prevail without mercy.