I already predicted a blowout for the Oklahoma Sooners in their season opener against Illinois State on Saturday, but there’s more to a game than just the score, so there’s also more to predict.
Here are three bold predictions to happen during the Sooners’ Week 1 win over Illinois State.
John Mateer scores in two ways
New quarterback John Mateer has already proven he can do it all after leading the FBS with 44 total TDs last season thanks to his ability with his arm and legs at Washington State. On Saturday, though, he’ll get his first chance to show Sooner Nation what all he can do.
Although the Sooners could hide some wrinkles in the offense before hosting Michigan next week, I still think Mateer being used in the run game is so woven into OU’s offensive plan that it will be on display no matter the opponent.
Mateer will surely connect with a receiver for a TD, but he’ll also find the end zone himself at some point to notch at least one passing and one rushing TD in his OU debut.
First-team D gets shutout
I did not predict the Sooners to shut out Illinois State, but I don’t think the Redbirds are able to get points on the board until after OU’s first-team defense is done for the day.
Illinois State has high expectations at the FCS level for this season, but even with its success last year, Iowa still shut out the Redbirds. OU’s defense is certainly better than Iowa’s
The Sooners’ defense, especially up front, will smother Illinois State’s offense and make it nearly impossible for the Redbirds to get down the field. However, because of the returning talent the Redbirds have, they’ll manage to erase the shutout late against OU’s youngsters.
Elijah Thomas scores TD
The hype for freshman wide receiver Elijah Thomas just keeps growing since he signed with the Sooners out of Checotah High School in Oklahoma. But after Saturday, the stock for Thomas will hit a new level.
With a rather brand new and unknown group of receivers, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle will give a lot of different guys opportunities in the opener before playing Michigan, including Thomas. The frosh will find the end zone in his first chance to, but I’m also not saying he catches one. Thomas is a freak athlete who is extremely versatile, so don’t be surprised if he scores in unique ways this season.
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