Sunday Brunch | We’ve Been Here Before, But This Feels Different
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 14, 2025
The Sooners So Far: A Hot Start. Once again, OU is off to a 3-0 start, as they have been under Brent Venables in each of his first three seasons. We have been here before.
Oklahoma has come out of the gates firing in 2025. At 3-0, they’ve checked every early box: a dominant opener, a gutsy win over Michigan, and a road rout of Temple. The No. 13 ranking (even though the polls are irrelevant right now) feels earned, and the vibe in Norman is simple: this team looks different. Confident. Balanced. Dangerous.
What’s Been Most Impressive?
Balance is Back: OU isn’t just leaning on one side of the ball. John Mateer has spread the field through the air, while a young back, Tory Blaylock, is breaking out on the ground. It is imperative for this complementary football to continue to develop.
Defensive Bite: The Sooners are hitting hard, tackling well, and flat-out shutting people down (ask Temple, who only managed a lonely field goal). Only thing missing at this point is turnovers.
Depth Rising: It’s not just the veterans, fresh faces are stepping up, giving OU the kind of “next man up” reliability you need in the SEC.
Auburn Awaits: The First SEC Test
Now the real fun begins. Auburn isn’t Illinois State or Temple. At the same time, I am not sure they are Michigan either. They’re an SEC team with power, speed, and a defensive front that can make quarterbacks miserable. This will be the Sooners’ first true “show me” game of the season in their new league.
Why OU Should Feel Good: They’ve been disciplined, efficient, and balanced. If that continues, the Auburn defense will have to pick its poison.
What OU Must Guard Against: Pressure on Mateer and giving away freebies (turnovers, special teams slips) could flip the script in a hurry.
The Big Picture: This game isn’t just another Saturday: It’s OU’s first real chance to plant the flag in SEC soil. A win over Auburn would say: this isn’t the same Sooners team that crapped the bed last year in their debut season in the SEC, and it would open even more eyes in the conference.
The Sooners enter this one with swagger. The offense is much improved, the defense is mean, and Norman will be rocking. Auburn’s a real test, but if OU keeps playing like they have through three weeks, don’t be surprised if the Sooners walk off the field 4-0, carrying even more momentum into the heart of their SEC schedule.
As mentioned above, we have been here before with this team under Brent Venables; however, this time feels a bit different. We will see how it plays out!
Position Group Progress Report | Game Three: Temple
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 15, 2025
Checking out how the position groups performed in the Sooners’ 42-3 win over Temple in the Sooners first road trip of the season!
Oklahoma was a 23.5 point favorite, and they covered the spread!
This will be the third progress report of the season. I will include the previous week’s ranking (preseason ranking in this case) at the top of each position group’s report in all subsequent progress reports!
Let’s see how things shook out against Temple.
QB: 4* (Last week High: 4*)
John Mateer is, and should be, the leading Heisman Trophy award winner candidate at this point in the season, and against Temple, he put in a workmanlike performance. To be honest, while in the stadium, kind of felt ‘Ho-hum’, which is so nice to be able to say after last season. Marteer was 20-34 for 282 with one touchdown and one pick through the air. He added 63 yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Mike Hawkins got some playing time (during the same week that the staff voiced their plan to redshirt him…), and while he is undoubtedly a dynamic runner, he still has some work to do as a QB.
Best player in the room this week: John Mateer.
RB: Low 4* (Last week: 2*)
True freshman Tory Blaylock is OU’s best running back. That much has been decided. It was interesting watching DeMarco Murray and his coaching style on the sidelines. Very intense and very vocal. Blaylock averaged 7.1 YPC on his 14 carries and hit the century mark. Xavier Robinson averaged 5.2 YPC on his 5 carries. Barnes and Ott didn’t do much in terms of production when they were in there, but overall, the room had a solid day.
Best player in the room this week: Tory Blaylock
WR: High 3* (Last week: 4*)
The most consequential play in the game for the wide receiver room may have been Keontez Lewis getting knocked out on a crosser late in the first half. OU needs his presence as he has been Mr. Clutch for them when it comes to moving the chains in the WR room. Isaiah Sategna had a terrific game with 7 for 97 and it was good to see Elijah Thomas and Zion Kearney get some run with Kearney having a pair of big receptions.
Best player in the room this week: Isaiah Sategna
TE: 5* (Last week High: 4*)
Jaren Kanak is such an great story. I know we have all said it multiple times already this season, but man, wish they made this move a year or two ago. Kanak is absolutely Mateers go-to guy when he is flushed or improvising and he looks to be getting better each week. Kanak had 4 catches for 86 yards and the former linebacker is by far the best TE option in the room. OU played 3 other TEs in Will Huggins, Kade McIntyre, and Carson Kent, and each of them scored 52 or below in the PFF ratings while Kanak graded out above 75.
Best player in the room this week: Jaren Kanak
OL: 3* (Last week: 4*)
The offensive line did not have a stellar day, but they were not bad by any means. Just didn’t like what I saw from the tackles in spots, and I thought Derek Simmons really looked off his game all day. OU will get Mike Fasusi back for Auburn, and it will be interesting to see what they do at the tackle spot to start the game. Thought the interior played pretty well overall, just hated to see Febechi limping around and Maikkula having to get a break when he got rolled up on.
Best player in the room this week: Jake Maikkula
DL: 5* (Last week High: 4*)
These guys ate. From 6 rows up in the stands, these guys were a lot of fun to watch. I thought each of the ‘Big 4’ had really impressive games and would have loved to have seen Gracen Halton make a circus catch on that tipped ball in the endzone! He tried. Every time David Stone is in the game, I am starting to expect big things and he delivered another highlight hit in the backfield against Temple. Felt like Jayden Jackson and Damonic Williams also were outstanding on the day.
Best player in the room this week: Damonic Williams who recorded 2 tackles for loss
EDGE: 4* (Last week: 3*)
Again, the most consequential play of the day for the Sooners was the loss of RMT for the start of next weeks game as he got hit with a targeting call in the second half. It was pretty nitpicky of a call, but I do not expect it to be overturned on appeal. Marvin Jones JR is an impressive physical guy in person and he played well. Was nice to see Wyatt Gilmore get out there and make plays and man, Taylor Wein just does his job and looks like he is developing nicely.
Best player in the room this week: Taylor Wein who had 1.5 tackles for loss, including getting credit for .5 sacks.
LB: 4* (Last week: 5*)
While watching the game live, I thought Kobie McKinzie was all over the place. In the stands, I had him penciled in with a ton of tackles and TFLs. Turns out, that really wasn’t the case, but after watching the game, there were a ton of ‘amost’ big plays by him. I really liked what I saw. Kip was doing his thing and he brought energy early, but Sammy Omosigho had a really, really nice day, particularly in pass defense. Thought the room played well even though they really weren’t asked to do an awful lot.
Best player in the room this week: Kobie McKinzie
CB: Low 4* (Last week: 4*)
It was so nice to see Kendel Dolby back on the field. Temple came right at him and he played a bit hesitantly to start the game, but as things wore on, you could see Dolby getting up to game speed. Dolby ended up leading the team in tackles with 4. Having him in the CB room will pay off for OU down the line. Didn’t even notice Courtland Guillory, which tells me he was doing his job and doing it well. Devon Jordan played well and next week, OU should have their full sleeve of corners with Eli and Gentry due back.
Best player in the room this week: Kendel Dolby
S: High 4* (Last week: 4*)
Felt like Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears Jennings were in control and assignment sound most of the day while they were in there. But man, it was Reggie Powers and Mike Boganowski who put out some highlights with their hitting. It was encouraging not to see a ton of WRs running free like we saw against Michigan, as it appeared the backend tightened up some facets of their game. Powers tied for the team lead in tackles with Dolby with four.
Best player in the room this week: Reggie Powers
ST: 4* (Last week: Nebula)
Hey! A 52-yard field goal, no muffed punts, and no personal foul penalties!
Best player in the room this week: Tate Sandell.
Jackson Arnold is Coming…to Town
– Super K – Posted on: September 16, 2025
A few weeks ago, looking around the Sooner fans were awfully conservative in their predictions about this season.
The Sooners have completed a quarter of their games. Have played some pretty good competition. Won all three games pretty convincingly. Mateer has looked great. The defense is highly ranked in a number of statistical categories. And, all of a sudden, I’m seeing a lot of very optimistic takes on the season.
That makes sense.
But I’m also starting to see some folks beating their chest like this upcoming game against Auburn is going to be a cake walk.
Maybe. But to think that’s a foregone conclusion is to imo to misunderstand the league the Sooners are in.
I’ve repeated it over and over but this isn’t anything like the Big 12. We always knew that but when we watched it last year and as we watch the Big 12 now from afar, the talent difference across the board is so stark.
In the Big 12, it was easy to predict what was going to happen once you’d gotten a sense of how good your team is.
It’s not in this league. OU has some many team they will play with similar talent to their own.
As I’ve said before, a staff member told us in the off-season, the Sooners can win every game but they’re going to be in a lot of close games.
I know JA did have the best run at OU, but OU itself is proof of how good the SEC in that JA took last year’s 6-6 team and whipped Alabama. And if he started the South Carolina game, they would’ve won that one too.
How? Because OU is part of the reason it’s tough every week in the SEC. Good players in the trenches and long aggressive players on the back end.
The Sooners are going to face that this weekend.
They’re going to face excellent defensive personnel and an offensive line that can move people.
And while BV is going to want to attack the LOS like he did against Michigan, you can guarantee Auburn isn’t going to play the Sooners in a box like Michigan did. Freeze will most certainly run JA and JA most certainly is going to want to run. Freeze is going to want to take advantage of Brent’s aggression with the RPO game.
Auburn isn’t the better team.
But a motivated Arnold and good line play and you start stealing a first down here and there – the game gets short and stays close and the pressure starts to turn to the home team.
The point here isn’t to say who will win. Sure, on paper the Sooners should win. They’re playing better defense through the first three games. And they have an incredible dynamic QB.
But Sooner fans need to buckle up because this could be a game and even if it isn’t, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, etc…all these guys have talent that you can’t just walk all over. Steel your nerves. It’s looking like it’s going to be a fun season.
SEC play starts in a few days.
First Half Schedule This Year vs. Last Year
– Super K – Posted on: September 17, 2025
I think we can all agree that the Sooners are a better team this year than they were last year.
Through three games, the Sooners are 3-0. Through six games last year, the Sooners were 4-2.
Let’s try to compare like with like…
***2025 Temple Sooners win vs. 2024 Temple Sooners win…
This year’s Temple team is much better. Both 2024 and 2025 team’s were dominant.
2025 +1
***2025 Illinois State win vs. 2024 Houston win…
I’ll give that one to Houston, obviously.
2024 +1
***2025 Kent State vs. 2024 Tulane (win)
2024 schedule tougher there with Tulane
2024 +1
***2025 Michigan win vs. 2024 Tennessee loss
This one is tough but before the Michigan game, I said last year’s Tennessee game with a freshman QB coming for a night game reminded me this year’s Michigan game.
I’m going to give this year’s Michigan team the edge even though I think last year’s Tennessee team was schematically harder for OU to defend. Plus, the Sooners obviously won the Michigan game.
2025 +1
***2025 Auburn vs. 2024 Auburn…
I think it’s clear this year’s Auburn team is much better than last year’s team.
2025 + 1
***2025 Texas vs. 2024 Texas…
Unless Arch figures things out, last year’s Texas team is much better than this year’s team.
2024 +1
Overall, the Sooners might have about the same path the first half of this season as they did the last. And with a better team this year, that should bode well.
Know Your Opponent | Auburn – 2025
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 17, 2025
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (3rd season at Auburn)
Offensive Coordinator: Derrick Nix (2nd season at Auburn)
Defensive Coordinator: D.J. Durkin (2nd season at Auburn)
Auburn’s 2025 season has gotten off to about as strong a start as Hugh Freeze could have hoped for. The Tigers are 3–0, and while they haven’t faced SEC competition yet, the team has shown real strides in all three phases.
They have wins over Baylor (38-24), Ball State (42-3), and South Alabama (31-15).
So far, Auburn looks like a team that’s efficient, balanced, and steadily improving. The Arnold/receivers connection (with Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman stepping up) has added a passing threat Auburn hasn’t had in recent years, and the run game has given them stability. Defensively, D.J. Durkin’s unit is still smoothing things out, but has been opportunistic.
The big test now is consistency, especially with OU looming, Auburn will need to prove their 3–0 start wasn’t just a product of favorable matchups.
On offense…
Auburn’s offense under Hugh Freeze and OC Derrick Nix in 2025 has been a blend of Freeze’s classic spread principles with a heavier emphasis on balance and tempo. It’s an attack designed to keep defenses honest, stress them horizontally with formations, and then hit vertically once mismatches open up.
Starters and impact players…
QB #11 Jackson Arnold – Transferred from Oklahoma. He’s got 501 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions so far. He’s looked efficient in the early games, combining passing and some scrambling effectively.
RB #23 Jeremiah Cobb – Junior back. He’s had some strong games: 121 yards & 2 TDs vs Ball State, 119 yards vs South Alabama. He’s clearly becoming a workhorse.
RB #0 Damari Alston – He’s been sharing carries, had 84 yards in 16 carries vs Baylor including a TD. Has shown promise, though sharing workload.
WR #1 Eric Singleton Jr. – Transfer from Georgia Tech; so far he leads Auburn in receiving with about 149 yards, big-play ability. Looks like a primary target in the passing game.
WR #8 Cam Coleman – Coming off a strong freshman year. Early in 2025, he’s made some key catches and looks like a reliable outside threat.
WR #5 Horatio Fields – Transfer from Wake Forest. Adds size and experience. He’s been developing chemistry with Arnold and gives Auburn another tall, capable receiver downfield.
Slot / WR #4 Malcolm Simmons – Young receiver, some off‐field stories, but when on the field, he’s showing flashes. Depth here looks promising.
TE #87 Brandon Frazier – Senior tight end. Big body, big target. Missed part of 2024 with injury, but expected to be a major target in the red zone.
LT #65 Xavier Chaplin – Auburn’s line anchor. Brings size and experience on the edge. Needs to protect Arnold, especially in this kind of matchup.
LG #52 Dillon Wade – The OL is expected to be more improved this season; Wade is part of that stability.
C #75 Connor Lew – One of the more reliable starters. Leadership position; a preseason All-SEC mention.
RG #77 Jeremiah Wright – Veteran presence. Helps in run blocking, especially, and keeping the interior solid.
RT #76 Mason Murphy – Looks like he’ll man the RT spot. Needs to keep up with pass rushers since OU will test that side.
***RPO & Quick Game vs OU’s Aggressive Front: Auburn thrives on RPOs and quick reads for Jackson Arnold. OU’s defense under Brent Venables is built on disguise, blitz looks, and speed. That means Auburn will likely use quick slants, bubble screens, and option routes to neutralize OU’s pressure and keep linebackers from selling out against the run.
***Run Game vs OU’s Linebackers: Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston form a strong one-two punch, but OU’s front seven is athletic and disciplined. Linebackers like Kip Lewis excel in space and tackling. Auburn’s best chance will be to mix inside zone with counters and misdirection — trying to make OU’s linebackers hesitate rather than attack downhill.
***Deep Shots vs OU Secondary: Auburn’s receivers (Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman) can stretch the field, and Arnold has the arm to hit them. OU’s corners are aggressive and will play a lot of press. That sets up a “boom or bust” element: if Auburn protects long enough, they can connect on explosive plays; if not, OU’s pass rush could disrupt Arnold before routes develop.
***Tempo vs OU Depth: One of Freeze’s favorite wrinkles is sudden tempo shifts. If Auburn gets a first down, they may immediately line up and snap it again, forcing OU to play on its heels. This could be especially valuable to wear down OU’s defensive line rotation.
***Tight End/Red Zone Matchups: OU’s defense is stingy inside the 20, but Auburn’s use of Brandon Frazier at tight end could be a difference-maker. His size presents a challenge against OU safeties in tight spaces, especially if the Sooners focus on stopping the outside receivers.
***Overall Outlook: Auburn’s scheme gives them answers against OU’s aggression, but execution will be everything. If Arnold stays poised and Auburn’s run game can keep OU honest, the Tigers can move the ball. If OU forces predictable passing downs, their disguised pressures and speed could overwhelm Auburn’s offensive line.
On defense…
Auburn primarily plays out of a multiple-front defense, toggling between 3-4 looks and 4-2-5 nickel packages depending on the opponent. The scheme is designed to be aggressive up front while still flexible enough to handle spread offenses and tempo-heavy teams like OU. Auburn plays a physical, flexible defense, built to disrupt rhythm with disguised fronts and pressure packages. It’s not a “sit back and bend” style, they want to force mistakes and dictate tempo. However, that aggressiveness can sometimes leave them vulnerable to big plays, especially if their safeties get caught cheating downhill.
Starters and impact players…
DE #15 Keldric Faulk: Faulk remains the anchor of the defensive edge. As a junior, he’s expected to be the team’s leading pass rusher, and there are high expectations for him in TFLs and sacks.
DE #10 Amaris Williams: Sophomore Williams is working into a larger role. He adds depth opposite Faulk and has shown flashes in run defense and pass rush in limited snaps.
NT #97 Bobby Jamison-Travis: Holds down the nose tackle spot. He’s expected to be stout against the run and help clog up gaps for Auburn’s linebackers.
DT #47 Malik Blocton: Blocton is a younger player with good potential. He’ll need to step up in consistency, especially in getting into the backfield vs bigger offensive lines.
BUCK/EDGE #24 Keyron Crawford: Crawford (Buck position, hybrid pass rusher/edge) returns as one of the more reliable players. He had nice numbers last season and so far has been making plays.
WLB #17 Xavier Atkins: Atkins is a sophomore stepping into a more defined role. He brings athleticism and speed, especially in space, but will be tested vs power/physical backs.
MLB #0 Robert Woodyard Jr.: Woodyard Jr. is one of the more experienced linebackers. He showed promise last season and needs to be a leader in run fits and tackling to help Auburn’s defensive identity.
LCB #4 Kayin Lee: Lee has been improving each year. He’s expected to be a starter with good cover skills. His performance in early games suggests he is keeping up with receiver speed and getting his hands on balls.
RCB #13 Raion Strader: Transfer from Miami (OH). He arrives with a strong track record of pass breakups/interceptions, and Auburn is looking to him to stabilize the secondary.
Nickel #19 Sylvester Smith: The nickel spot will likely see Smith accompanying starters on many passing downs. He’s still young but showing good instincts.
Free Safety #5 Jahquez Robinson: Robinson is one of the more experienced safeties in the Auburn rotation. He’s expected to help in coverage, especially over the top, and support in run defense.
Strong Safety #8 Kaleb Harris: Harris is a true freshman but has already seen action. He’s being counted on to hold up his share of responsibilities.
***OU Tempo & Balance vs Auburn’s Base Defense: Ben Arbuckle’s Sooners offense is fast, balanced, and creative. They’ll run tempo to force Auburn to simplify coverages. Durkin’s defense typically mixes 3-4 and 4-2-5 looks, with a lot of zone behind it. If Auburn can’t rotate quickly, OU will find mismatches in the seams and flats.
***Run Game vs Auburn’s Front Seven: Auburn’s strength is their defensive line depth, but they’ve been a bit inconsistent against the run so far in 2025. OU’s backs can stress the edges with stretch runs and RPO keepers. If OU establishes the run early, it will open up Arbuckle’s full playbook.
***Passing Game vs Auburn Secondary: Auburn’s corners are athletic but still developing. OU’s receivers, who’ve been effective this season, thrive on quick-breaking routes and deep posts. Arbuckle loves scheming stacked formations and motion, which can force Auburn’s DBs into communication lapses. That’s dangerous against a quarterback who gets the ball out quickly.
***Protection vs Auburn Pass Rush: Auburn has shown flashes of a strong pass rush, particularly off the edge. The matchup of OU’s offensive tackles against Auburn’s defensive ends will be critical. If the Sooners can keep their QB clean, Auburn’s back end may not hold up against the depth of OU’s passing attack.
***Red Zone Execution: Durkin’s defenses typically stiffen in the red zone, forcing field goals. Arbuckle’s OU offense is creative in tight quarters, often using motion, rub routes, and misdirection to free up space. This chess match could decide whether OU turns long drives into 6 points or settles for 3.
***Overall Outlook: OU’s offense has the tools to stress Auburn at every level. The key matchup will be OU’s tempo and balanced attack vs Auburn’s defensive discipline. If Auburn disguises coverages well and creates pressure with four rushers, they can slow OU down. But if OU gets rhythm early, Auburn may struggle to keep up with the variety and speed.
Bottom line:
***OU is a solid home favorite. If both teams play up to their potential, OU wins.
***This game will come down to who forces the other guy to make more mistakes.
***The main things I am focusing on: How effective OU can be in the offensive run game (expect to see Mateer a lot again), and how well the OU secondary maintains assignment and does not bust against the elite wide receivers Auburn has.
A few Notes on the OU vs Auburn Game
– Super K – Posted on: September 18, 2025
A few thoughts going through my mind as we approach this upcoming weekend’s game…
***Obviously, it’s a big game for many reasons one of which being that Jackson is coming back to Norman.
***Folks keep saying BV knows Jackson. But I wonder if seeing BV’s defense for the past couple years negates that advantage a bit in that Jackson knows BV, as well.
***Have been trying to get a sense of what a lot of national folks think on this game and everything I’ve heard, so far, and everyone seems to be picking OU. Probably the smart pick, even though I think it’s going to be a tough game.
***We know Auburn is going to try to run the ball a lot, and they’ve been effective at it. But at some point, they’re going to have to do something JA hasn’t done much this year – stretch the field. He has the guys to do it, but still, Auburn has to do something they really haven’t done much of. OU on the other hand…
***Just needs to play loose. That might be a tall task.
***I feel like the pressure really is on BV and the Sooners. Everyone is expecting the Sooners to win, and a loss to your former QB isn’t a great look. Both teams have a lot to lose but it feels like OU has more to lose.
***I like Auburn’s front, but like others have mentioned, I don’t love Auburn’s back end. I prefer Auburn’s front over Michigan’s but again, not sure about their secondary. However, I do think Mateer will see more man coverage against Auburn, which I think could make it tougher in the pass game but help OU in the QB run game.
***I trust Mateer more than I trust Jackson, but we have yet to see Jackson with this collection of talent around him and with a competent OC guiding him. So, I do think we will probably see a better version of Jackson than Sooners are accustomed to.
***Most pundits I’ve seen have the Sooners winning in a fairly close game. Right now, Vegas has the Sooners favored by about a TD.
***My thinking is pretty simple, either the Sooners win by better than the spread (maybe 9 or 10+ like the Michigan game) or I think the pressure gets to them towards the end and they drop this one in a really close game.
Official Visitors | Auburn Game
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 18, 2025
The Sooners are set to host three official visits this weekend!
***Tulane wide receiver commit, Brayden Allen (6’1 170) out of Lafayette, Louisiana, is set to make his way to campus. OU is battling Tulane, Colorado, and OkState for his pledge, and should they push this weekend, it feels like they could position themselves at the top.
***Former Northwestern LB commit Jacob Curry (6’1 208) out of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, will also head up to Norman for the weekend. Curry has received numerous offers recently, including one from Ohio State. Miami and Baylor are also in the picture. OU will look to make a big impression this weekend, as you can bet Curry will be looking to visit Ohio State here in the not-too-distant future.
***OU DL Commit Tank Carrington (6’2 260) out of Irvine, California, will be taking his official visit. Carrington was originally scheduled to OV back in early June, but the Sooners decided to check out other options, and Carrington verbally committed to FSU. Well, OU checked back in on Carrington over the summer and got him to flip, so now they will host him officially.
One on Ones | Oklahoma vs Auburn – 2025
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 18, 2025
The Sooners take on Auburn on their 2025 SEC opener this week.
Auburn is 3-0 on the season and they bring former Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold back to town at the helm of their offense.
There are multiple one-on-ones I will be paying close attention to, so let’s talk about some of them!
One on One Number One
Oklahoma Offensive Tackles (Fasusi/Howland/Simmons) vs Auburn Defensive End Keldric Faulk
When talking about the Auburn defense, you have to start with their immensely talented defensive end Keldric Faulk, who is just an explosive and giant human being.
Faulk’s size (6’6 285), length, burst, and ability to move well for his frame make him one of the more impactful edge defenders in the SEC. He can line up in different spots on the defensive front, use his length, and has shown both pass-rush potential and ability against the run. Even with a slower start, his ability in 2025 to make plays behind the line (TFLs, sacks) means he’s always a threat. Once he gets consistent reps and if Auburn schemes to send him in favorable pass-rush situations, the disruption could increase.
The Sooners will be wise to account for Faulk each snap, as he does tend to move around. OU’s best matchup with him, in my opinion, would be a healthy Michael Fasusi, who has the feet and strength to best neutralize Faulk’s speed. Now, not all is lost if Fasusi cannot go, as last season, the Sooners’ cobbled-together offensive line did manage to hold him in check. However, the more resources OU has to push towards Faul, the more it has the potential to open up other areas for the Auburn front to be disruptive.
So far in 2025, Faulk only has one sack to his credit. Here is to hoping that the OU tackles can limit his impact in the game on Saturday and keep him looking for his breakout game.
One on One Number Two
Oklahoma Safety Peyton Bowen vs Auburn Quarterback Jackson Arnold
One thing is certain about this matchup: There are few, if any, secrets between these two who grew up playing together as well as being very close off the field. Coming into the game, Jackson Arnolds’ best friend will not be Peyton Bowen; it will be his legs.
Peyton Bowen knows this, and he will be the last line of defense for the Sooners in some cases when Arnold decides to tuck and run (as he will do often), and Bowen needs to be on his game when it comes to tackling and the angles he takes.
I will go ahead and assume that Hugh Freeze will try to get Arnold’s legs involved early on to settle what will be an enormous case of the nerves. Arnold doesn’t just throw the ball; we all know he can run. That adds an extra layer to Auburn’s offense. Defenses have to account for him both as a passer and a runner, which creates mismatches.
Early this season against Baylor, he rushed for a career-high 137 yards with two rushing touchdowns. That shows he can break out even if the passing game isn’t clicking.
Yes, Bowen will likely have a spy in front of him tracking Arnold, likely Sammy Omosigho/Kendal Daniels, but Bowen knows who Jackson Arnold is and he is very, very familiar with his tendencies. I believe there will be multiple opportunities in the game for Bowen to make big plays.
One on One Number Three
Oklahoma Defense Tackle David Stone vs Auburn Offensive Guards Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright
This one is pretty simple.
David Stone has arrived. He is making plays and disrupting offensive backfields every week and his confidence and consistency is on the rise. Both he and Damonic Williams have a chance to get Arnold on the run and uncomfortable early in the game.
The Auburn interior offensive line is long in the tooth and pretty solid, but to this point this season, they have not faced anything like the Sooners defensive line.
Look for Jayden Jackson to take care of the center (Connor Lew) and if Auburn is forced to double him, that only creates more opportunity for Stone (and Williams) to make an impact. Sooners fans know, when you get Jackson Arnold off schedule and a bit panicked, good things happen for the opposition.
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