Oklahoma's season took on a whole different light and meaning following its huge victory over No. 1 Texas last weekend in the 122nd renewal of the classic Red River Rivalry in Dallas.
The fact that the Sooners (3-2, 1-1) came out on top in that game and are carrying over that momentum into their SEC home opener on Saturday with visiting Kentucky represents a difficult enough challenge for the 15th-ranked Wildcats (5-1, 3-1).
Kentucky officials might want to have a few words with the schedule makers, who placed this game on the schedule the week immediately following the OU-Texas game -- and in Norman, to boot. Since the start of the 1999 season, Oklahoma is 25-2 in the game that immediately follows its annual rivalry game with Texas.
Kentucky comes to Norman this weekend riding its own momentum surge. First of all, both OU and Kentucky are coming off top-10 wins. The Wildcats, under first-year head coach Will Stein, have won four consecutive games, including back-to-back overtime wins over South Carolina and No. 10 LSU by identical 35-34 scores. Kentucky also has a conference win over then-No. 9 Texas A&M in College Station. The Cats' 5-1 start to the season marks the first time a UK head coach has started the season 5-1 since Alpha Brumage did so back in 1913.
The game on Saturday is just the fourth meeting all-time between Oklahoma and Kentucky. The Sooners are 2-1 in the three previous games. OU won the two games on the respective campuses (29-7 in 1980 in Norman and 29-8 two years later in Lexington). No. 1-ranked Oklahoma lost to Kentucky 13-7 in the Sugar Bowl during the 1950 season.
How to watch Oklahoma vs. Kentucky
When: 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 17, in Norman, Oklahoma
Where: SEC Network (watch using FuboTV free trial)
Announcers: Dave Neal (play-by-play), Cole Cubelic (analyst), and Tori Petrey (sideline reporter)
What to know about Kentucky
- Kentucky ranks 10th in the SEC and 55th nationally in total offense (414 yards per game, 110 more than Oklahoma), but 14th in the conference in total defense (allowing an average of 382 yards per game, 116 more than the Sooners.
- The Wildcats' offensive leaders include quarterback Kenny Minchey, a Notre Dame transfer, who ranks 6th in the SEC, averaging 232 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns and just one interception, and a completion percentage of 67.4. Former Texas Longhorn CJ Baxter is the leading ball carrier (484 rushing yards, an average of 5.6 yards per carry, and eight touchdowns). Kenny Darby and Willie Rodriquez are the primary receiving targets with 29 and 28 receptions, respectively.
- Kentucky ranks second in the SEC and is tied for ninth nationally with seven interceptions through six games. By contrast, Oklahoma has thrown four interceptions this season but recorded just three on defense, with two of those coming in the win over Texas.
- The Kentucky offense has scored a touchdown on its opening possession of the second half in four of the Wildcats' six games. Each of those scoring drives has gone for 75 yards. As a complementary note, the Kentucky defense has not allowed a point on an opponent's first possession of the second half this season.
What to know about Oklahoma
- In his past two games (vs. No. 2 Georgia and No. 1 Texas), quarterback John Mateer has completed 72 % of his pass attempts. Importantly, he had no turnovers vs. Texas after throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles in the previous three games. Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant had his best day as a Sooner in the win over Texas, rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown and averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He also caught two passes for 16 yards.
- Oklahoma is 9-for-10 in red-zone scoring opportunities this season (5 touchdowns, 4 field goals), but in the Sooners' last two games (Georgia and Texas), they have advanced the ball inside the opponents' 20-yard line a total of just four times (three times vs. Georgia and just once vs. Texas).
- The Sooners' biggest quarter for offensive production this season has been the third quarter. OU is outscoring its opponents 40-3 in the third quarter. Through five games, Oklahoma has allowed just 27 second-half points.
- The Oklahoma defense ranks in the top-15 nationally in seven different statistical categories: No. 1 in first downs per game (12.8), No. 3 in third-down conversion percentage (22.7), No. 7 in red-zone conversion percentage (66.7) and passing defense (150.0 yards per game), No. 12 in defensive pass completion percentage (54.5), No. 14 in total defense (266.8) and sacks (3.0 per game), and No. 15 in passing touchdowns allowed (4).
Other storylines
- Oklahoma is 25-2 since the 1999 season in games that immediately follow its annual rivalry game with Texas. One of those two rare defeats, however, was just two years ago, a 35-9 home loss to South Carolina. There is a notable distinction, however, between then and now. In 2024, the Sooners were coming off of a 34-3 beatdown at the hands of another top-ranked Texas team.
- Four of Oklahoma's five opponents this season rank in the top-13 nationally in total defense. Kentucky ranks 108th in scoring defense (28.0) and 100th in total defense (382 yards per game).
- Kentucky wide receiver Nic Anderson (2022-24) and running back Jovantae Barnes (2022-25) began their collegiate careers at Oklahoma. Anderson is the younger brother of former OU running back Rodney Anderson (2015-18).
- In its two previous home games this season, Oklahoma has given up only six points (two field goals).
- Through five games, Oklahoma's opponents have scored on just 15 of their 62 offensive possessions (24%).
- Fourteen different Sooners have started on defense in Oklahoma's five games this season. All of them began their college football careers at OU.
Prediction
Oklahoma fans are hoping that the emotional win over archrival Texas at the Cotton Bowl last weekend will serve as the jump start the Sooners needed to turn around their season. The question in predicting the outcome of the OU-Kentucky game is: will we see a carryover of momentum and inspiration from the Texas game, or will there be a Texas hangover and a natural letdown from all the emotion and euphoria that comes with beating your chief rival and top-ranked team in the country?
It better be more of the former if Oklahoma wants to beat a very good Kentucky team that is coming to Norman with a load of confidence and a resume to back that up.
The Wildcats have already shown they can play with the best in the SEC this season, so the Sooners are going to need to play well, and not just on defense, if they are going to win this game.
The fact that the game is being played in Norman is probably only a slight advantage to Oklahoma. Kentucky has already shown that big, hostile road environments serve as extra motivation, taking down Texas A&M in College Station this season. I don't think the same thing will happen at the Palace on the Prairie.
Oklahoma 27, Kentucky 17
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