The 16th-ranked Oklahoma football team puts its national ranking and undefeated record on the line with a road test at Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati on Saturday.
The game will kick off at the early hour of 11 a.m., which adds to the test for the road team. Interestingly, the Sooners have been scheduled for the 11 a.m. time slot 15 times over the last three years. In 2022 and 2021, half of their regular-season games were played in the opening TV time slot. Two of OU’s four game so far in 2023 have been 11 o’clock kickoffs.
How to watch OU vs. Cincinnati
The game is the featured contest this week on FOX Big Noon Kickoff. Big Noon Kickoff runs from 10 to 11 a.m. CT, followed by game coverage on FOX beginning at 11. The network’s No. 1 college football broadcast crew will be on the call with Gus Johnson doing play by play, Joel Klatt doing analysis and Jenny Taft on the sidelines.
Live stream: FuboTV.
Weather forecast
Mostly sunny and 74 degrees at kickoff
Betting information
Oklahoma is a 13.5-point favorite in the game, according to Bedsided, the FanSided.com betting site. The over/under is 57.5.
Key players
For Oklahoma, QB Dillon Gabriel and WR Andrel Anthony. On defense, LB Danny Stutsman and S Peyton Bowen. Gabriel leads the country in completion percentage (82.5) and is second in passing efficiency (220.4). Anthony has 14 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown. Stutsman leads the Sooners with 30 tackles, 4.5 for loss and one sack. He also has a pick-six for a 30-yard touchdown. Bowen, a true freshman, has nine tackles and three pass breakups through three games.
For Cincinnati, QB Emory Jones (66.2 completion percentage for 735 yards and seven touchdowns along with 144 yards rushing and three rushing TDs; also has three interceptions). RB Corey Kiner (289 yards rushing, 6.1 yards per carry, two touchdowns) and WR Xzavier Hutchinson (20 catches for 299 yards). Defensively, LB Jack Dingle (16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack) and S Bryon Threats (15 tackles and two interceptions).
Injury report
Oklahoma
Cheetah, Justin Harrington: Doubtful (knee)
WR D.J. Graham: Out
WR J.J. Hester: Questionable
OG Savion Byrd: Questionable
TE Kaden Helms: Questionable
S Reggie Pearson: Questionable
Edge R Mason Thomas: Questionable
CB Jasiah Wagoner: Questionable
LB Phil Picciotti: Out for season
CB Jayden Rowe: Out for season
Cincinnati
CB Sammy Anderson: Questionable
Prediction
Sooners pull away late. Oklahoma 41, Cincinnati 30