3 bold predictions for Oklahoma's final nonconference game vs. Kent State

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 without Mateer and sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. filling in, the Sooners will finally find consistent success on the ground, even if just for a day.

With his elite speed, Hawkins will break off enough long runs to rush for at least 100 yards while filling in for Mateer. Meanwhile, with what could be a preview of the Sooners' 2026 backfield, freshman Tory Blaylock will serve as OU's bell cow running back to reach the century mark for the second time in his young career.

2. OU defense ends turnover drought

Despite being one of the best units in all of college football, OU's defense is the only one in the country that hasn't forced a turnover yet. Not only will the Sooners shut Kent State out on Saturday, there will be so much pressure throughout the game that a mistake is bound to happen for OU to finally tally that elusive first turnover.

Even just one turnover should release the chains from this OU defense just in time before a loaded SEC slate that starts with a matchup against Texas next week.

3. Jaydn Ott scores first TD as Sooner

It's been the curious case of Jaydn Ott since he transferred to OU from California this past spring as the top running back available in the Transfer Portal. Ott has seen little action and didn't even see the field in the Sooners' last game against Auburn.

OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle continues to mention that Ott is headed in the right direction for more playing time, including this week. Arbuckle and OU head coach Brent Venables have also said multiple times that Ott is part of their future plans for the offense.

"He had great bye week practices," Arbuckle said this week. "He came to work. He had a great urgency about him. He had a great walkthrough practice (Monday)."

Ott led the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023 before an ankle injury hindered him last season. He's a proven talent, but just hasn't proven it while wearing crimson yet. A matchup against Kent State will be the Sooners' final chance to figure anything out or give a player like Ott a chance to prove himself. If Ott does get some carries, he'll find the end zone against a lackluster Kent State defense, which will hopefully propel him to finally become a weapon for the Sooners.

However, if Ott again spends his Saturday watching from the sidelines, a bonus bold prediction would be that he redshirts the rest of the season before heading elsewhere to finish his career after things didn't pan out in Oklahoma.

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