AUBURN — Auburn football will host No. 21 Oklahoma at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday in its second SEC game of the 2024 season.
Oklahoma leads the all-time series 2-0 against the Tigers with both victories coming in the Sugar Bowl (1972, 2017). This is the first meeting between the Tigers and Sooners as conference rivals.
Here’s our scouting report on the Sooners, and a score prediction for the matchup on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ABC/SEC Network+).
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Oklahoma’s Micheal Hawkins Jr. first at QB
Quarterback Micheal Hawkins Jr. replaced Jackson Arnold in the second quarter of the Sooners’ 25-15 loss to No. 5 Tennessee. Arnold was benched after two lost fumbles and an interception. Hawkins finished 11-of-18 for 132 yards and a touchdown and added 22 yards rushing.
The 6-foot-1 freshman was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, On3 and Rivals while leading Emerson High School to the 2023 Texas 5A state semifinals. He totaled 4,211 all-purpose yards and 55 touchdowns with only three interceptions in 15 games as a senior.
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze acknowledged the Sooners quarterback situation and has said Hawkins mirrors some other players they’ve seen under center this year.
“Oklahoma quarterbacks, two different deals. Like we have faced the last two weeks, runs around and makes plays with his feet as much as he does his arms, so it will be a challenge if that’s who they go with,” Freeze said. “The other kid is a little more pocket-style, RPO guy, runs a little bit, too.”
Full game injury report
For the Tigers, tight end Brandon Fraizer, Tyler Scott (DB), and Champ Anthony (DB) are all listed as out this weekend. Defensive Lineman Isaiah Rakes (ankle), Izavion Miller (hip) and kicker Alex McPherson are questionable. Freshman wide receiver Cam Coleman is expected to play after dealing with a shoulder injury the past two weeks. He missed the New Mexico game and played against Arkansas.
“I do expect him to be feeling better by Saturday,” Freeze said. “He certainly was not 100% last week. You could kind of see, it was the combination of that, and him not getting the number of reps that is normal for him to prepare. That certainly hurt him in not playing up to what his expectations are for himself. I think he definitely feels better this week. He went through all the reps at practice.”
On the Sooners’ side, Jayden Gibson is out for the season with a knee injury. Jalil Farooq, who had 694 yards last season, suffered a broken foot against Temple and is out. Nic Anderson, the Sooners’ top returning receiver from last season, made his season debut against Tennessee but re-injured his leg on the second drive and will not play at Auburn. Freshman running back Taylor Tatum is listed as doubtful after suffering a head injury last week and offensive lineman Jake Taylor is probable.
Score Prediction
Oklahoma 28, Auburn 21: Both teams started SEC play in the losing column falling at home last week. As both teams seek redemption, a victory will serve as a momentum shifter for the last team standing Saturday. Auburn’s offense has struggled with turnovers in recent weeks and against Oklahoma that will put them in the hole very fast. This should be a close matchup that comes down to the final quarter of play as the Sooners sit as early favorites.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football vs. No. 21 Oklahoma: Scouting analysis on the Sooners
