Oklahoma football: Five bold predictions for Week 2 vs. Kent State

For the second week in a row, the Oklahoma football Sooners are a heavy favorite to take care of business on Saturday, when the Kent State Golden Flashes out of the Mid-American Conference come calling.

The Golden Flashes are picked by a preseason poll of the MAC coaches to repeat as champions of the East Division of that conference. Yet they come to Norman as a 30-point-plus underdog.

Last season, the Sooners had a very poor record covering betting spreads. Half of OU’s games last season were decided by one touchdown or less. They had an easy time in the season opener against UTEP, winning 45-13 and actually covering the 31-point spread.

Oklahoma should win again this week, and I think the Sooners will actually cover the spread a second consecutive week. My pick: Oklahoma wins 52-10.

Here are five other bold predictions I’m putting out there:

Dillon Gabriel will throw for over 350 yards and three-plus touchdowns

Based on his career numbers, quarterback Dillon Gabriel had a modest game throwing the football against UTEP. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Look for OU to ramp up the passing game against Kent State. Gabriel will exceed his total last week by more than 100 yards and also record three passing TDs, giving him five for the season.

Marvin Mims will be targeted 8 times and catch 5 for over 100 yards, 2 TD

Not finding Marvin Mims enough on passing routes was an issue most of last season and was again evident in the season opener last weekend. He caught three of four targets last week, and that’s just not taking advantage enough of his playmaking skills. I think Mims will become more involved against Kent State and will catch at least five passes for at least 110 yards and two touchdowns.

The OU defense will get 5 more sacks, and DT Reggie Grimes will get two of them

The Oklahoma defense recorded six quarterback sacks against UTEP. They will be just as disruptive this week, bringing down the Kent State QB at least five times, not to mention all the other pressure and havoc the Sooner pass rushers cause throughout the game. Junior D-lineman Reggie Grimes is going to be the man a second straight week, leading the Sooners with another two-spot in the sack department.

CB Woodi Washington will intercept a pass in the game

Woodi Washington has been credited with four interceptions in his three seasons at Oklahoma, two his first full season in 2019 on the roster and two more last season. He will pick up numero uno for 2022 on Saturday against Kent State.

The Oklahoma defense will hold Kent State to under 325 yards of total offense

I like the scheme and personnel adjustments Brent Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof have made in the Sooner defense. I think they’re tackling better (which has been a big problem in recent years), flying to the ball better and showing more physicality. Kent State had 340 yards of total offense in Week 1 against Washington. The Flashes won’t do that well this week.