OU vs. Auburn: Could any of these factors foretell the outcome on Saturday?

Oklahoma plays its first road game as a member of the SEC on Saturday afternoon in a matchup with the Auburn Tigers. On paper, it would appear that this could be a close game and one either team could win depending on which way the ball bounces and which teams does the best job securing the football.

Each team has its own set of problems. Again, the team that does the best job on Saturday limiting inherent problems and mistakes is likely to come away with the win. That's actually a formula that universally applies to every athletic competition.

Oklahoma opened the season with four straight home games, winning three of the four. Auburn has yet to leave Jordan-Hare Stadium this season, with the game against the Sooners the fifth consecutive home game to open the 2024 season. The Tigers haven't been as fortunate as OU, splitting the four previous home games, losing to California and last weekend to Arkansas.

No one factor or play determines the outcome of a game, but here are some compelling statistical factors that could come into play in Saturday's OU-Auburn game and are worth noting:

• Oklahoma is tied for the lead nationally with 12 takeaways (8 fumbles and 4 interceptions. Auburn, on the other hand, ranks 133rd out of 134 teams with 14 turnovers.

• Since the start of the 2023 season, the Sooners are 11-0 when they win the turnover battle.

• Oklahoma has won 34 of its last true road games against unranked opponents dating back to the 2010 season.

• The Sooners have won their last 87 games when holding opponents to 22 or fewer points.

• Auburn ranks seventh national in red-zone defense this season, holding opponents' scoreless on 6 of 14 attempts.

• Auburn is 8-0 in two seasons under head coach Hugh Freeze when the Tigers' hold opponents to fewer than 20 points, and 7-0 when leading at the half.

• Auburn has won 82 percent of its home games all-time in the month of September (121-26-1).