Oklahoma's result vs. Kentucky could decide how fans watch Sooners play Mississippi State

The powers that be are waiting to see just how watchable the Oklahoma Sooners really are. 

The SEC recently announced that OU’s road game at Mississippi State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 24, but a channel still hasn’t been settled on yet, with the game either being on ESPN or SEC Network. Obviously, nearly all OU fans would prefer for the game to be a lot more accessible on ESPN, while also getting a brighter spotlight for the Sooners. 

Sooners and Mississippi State need wins to set up top-25 matchup on ESPN

How we watch the Sooners in two weeks likely depends on how they perform on Saturday against No. 15 Kentucky in Norman. No. 16 Mississippi State also has some influence on the matter, as the Bulldogs head to No. 22 LSU on Saturday. 

If both teams pull off wins this week, then that should guarantee a ranked-vs.-ranked matchup that would be tailor-made for the flagship station of ESPN. There’s no way a clash like that would get demoted to SEC Network. 

Coincidentally, the Sooners will be on SEC Network this week for a primetime game against the Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. CT. That decision was made before both teams pulled off massive upsets in Week 6 as unranked teams. 

Kentucky surged all the way inside the top 15 after beating then-No. 10 LSU 35-34 in overtime at home. The Wildcats have won four games in a row, but they dropped from the rankings a week ago after barely beating a lowly South Carolina team in overtime. 

The Sooners dethroned Texas 27-24 from its spot as the No. 1 team in the country. That upset still wasn’t enough to get OU ranked again at 3-2, but back-to-back upsets, with a win against Kentucky, definitely would. 

In order for both Mississippi State and OU to be ranked next week, though, the Bulldogs also need a win. Mississippi State is coming out of its bye week after getting hammered by Alabama 56-23 in its last outing. Another loss, even to a ranked squad, would prove the Bulldogs to be unworthy of a ranked status. 

With LSU not on the Sooners’ schedule, OU fans’ second rooting interest for Week 7 should be Mississippi State. That should be easy, considering how unlikeable LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is. 

It’s not just about getting on a better TV channel, but the more ranked wins on the Sooners’ resume, the better. It’s hard to believe after what we witnessed in the first four games of OU’s season, but the Sooners still have an outside chance at making the College Football Playoff. 

The Sooners hearing their name called on Selection Sunday would require running the table and tallying some big-time wins that can’t be ignored. As long as teams like Mississippi State keep winning, the Sooners will get plenty of chances to impress. And if OU continues to be in marquee games on a weekly basis, then the selection committee has to pay attention. 

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