Oklahoma-Auburn Preview: Sooners on SI Staff Picks

The Sooners on SI staff — John Hoover, Ryan Chapman, Carson Field, Ryan Aber and Brady Trantham — logged their score predictions for Saturday’s SEC opener between No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0) and No. 22 Auburn (3-0).

John Hoover

Count on Oklahoma finally getting a few takeaways on defense, and like last year’s win at Auburn, that’ll be the difference. The Sooner defense is fearsome, but Hugh Freeze, Jackson Arnold and the best running game OU has seen so far this year will have moments of success. The key will be getting pressure on Arnold, and eventually sacking him or at least hitting him. Brent Venables’ defense hasn’t been great at pressuring the QB yet, and without R Mason Thomas for a half, someone is going to have to step up. Auburn’s defense might also be the best Ben Arbuckle, John Mateer and the OU offense has seen, or at least equal to Michigan. If Mateer can get a couple of short-field opportunities, the Sooners could cover the 6 1/2-point line. If not, look for a last-minute finish.

Final Score: Oklahoma 21, Auburn 17

Ryan Chapman

Former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold is the only credible threat left that could keep the Sooners from rolling into the Cotton Bowl unbeaten and in the top 10. The situation around Arnold is much better than the nightmare in Norman last year. He has an accomplished offensive coordinator, dynamic weapons at receiver, a strong running game and a healthy offensive line to help him out. But Arnold still hasn’t shown he can effectively throw downfield — something he’ll have to do if the Tigers hope to knock off the Sooners in Norman. Even without defensive end R Mason Thomas playing for a half, Oklahoma’s defensive line is talented enough to contain Auburn’s rushing attack, and the OU secondary looks much improved. The real concern for the Sooners in this one is the offensive line. Though they are battered and bruised, the Sooners will have enough up front to protect quarterback John Mateer from Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk. The Tigers’ secondary leaves plenty to be desired, and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle will have his full complement of weapons to attack Auburn over the middle. As long as the pocket holds for Mateer, the Sooners should have plenty of firepower to down the Tigers, which would allow OU fans to truly dream big headed into the season’s first bye week.

Final Score: Oklahoma 31, Auburn 17

Carson Field

I’m still of the opinion that 2024 didn’t provide an accurate snapshot of Jackson Arnold’s capabilities. In three games at Auburn, Arnold has thrown for 501 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 192 yards and four touchdowns. He also has yet to throw an interception. That said, Oklahoma’s defense is unlike any of the first three that the Tigers have faced. OU has given up just one touchdown in its first three contests, and the Sooners are allowing only 181 offensive yards per game. Even though Arnold looks far better than he did in his lone season as the Sooners’ starter, OU’s defense has a chance to exploit his weaknesses. Auburn is a good team, shown by the Tigers’ 38-24 road win over Baylor to open the season. Still, Oklahoma will narrowly beat the Tigers to remain unbeaten.

Final Score: Oklahoma 34, Auburn 27

Ryan Aber

Auburn's defense was supposed to be its strength, but the Tigers haven't exactly been dominant on that side of the ball. They surrendered 419 yards through the air to Baylor in the opener. The passing game continues to be OU's offense strength and that'll shine through here with another big day from John Mateer. Jackson Arnold looks better than he did a year ago, but the Sooners slow down Arnold and the rest of the Auburn offense with a relentless pass rush as OU continues its hot start with a win in the SEC opener.

Final Score: Oklahoma 27, Auburn 14

Brady Trantham

Auburn poses challenges in ways that the Michigan Wolverines could not. While both teams bring stout defenses and dual-threat quarterbacks, the Tigers will have the best player between both squads in future NFL draft pick edge rusher Keldrick Faulk. Faulk's abilities are made much more of a threat, considering the status of Oklahoma's offensive line from a health standpoint. In addition, the Sooner secondary will likely be tested by talented wide receiver Cam Coleman, who had three catches for 82 yards against OU last year. But just like the Michigan game, the Sooner defense will be facing a quarterback that has yet to prove at the college level to be able to consistently dissect a defense, particularly on passing downs. That alone allows for Oklahoma to be the enforcer in terms of dictating play. Oklahoma's offensive attack gets them ahead and forces Auburn out of their comfort zone and the Sooners pull away.

Final score: Oklahoma 38, Auburn 21

Published Sep 19, 2025

RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is co-publisher at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK.

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BRADY TRANTHAM

Brady Trantham covered the Oklahoma City Thunder as the lead Thunder Insider from 2018 until 2021 for 107.7 The Franchise. During that time, Trantham also helped the station as a fill-in guest personality and co-hosted Oklahoma Sooner postgame shows. Trantham also covered the Thunder for the Norman Transcript and The Oklahoman on a freelance basis. He received his BA in history from the University of Oklahoma in 2014 and a BS in Sports Casting from Full Sail University in 2023. Trantham also founded and hosts the “Through the Keyhole” podcast, covering Oklahoma Sooners football. He was born in Oklahoma and raised as an Air Force brat all over the world before returning to Norman and setting down roots there.

CARSON FIELD

Carson Field has worked full-time in the sports media industry since 2020 in Colorado, Texas and Wyoming as well as nationally, and he has earned degrees from Arizona State University and Texas A&M University. When he isn’t covering the Sooners, he’s likely golfing, fishing or doing something else outdoors. Twitter: https://x.com/carsondfield

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JOHN E. HOOVER

John is an award-winning journalist whose work spans five decades in Oklahoma, with multiple state, regional and national awards as a sportswriter at various newspapers. During his newspaper career, John covered the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Arkansas Razorbacks and much more. In 2016, John changed careers, migrating into radio and launching a YouTube channel, and has built a successful independent media company, DanCam Media. From there, John has written under the banners of Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Fan Nation and a handful of local and national magazines while hosting daily sports talk radio shows in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and statewide. John has also spoken on Capitol Hill in Oklahoma City in a successful effort to put more certified athletic trainers in Oklahoma public high schools. Among the dozens of awards he has won, John most cherishes his national "Beat Writer of the Year" from the Associated Press Sports Editors, Oklahoma's "Best Sports Column" from the Society of Professional Journalists, and Two "Excellence in Sports Medicine Reporting" Awards from the National Athletic Trainers Association. John holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from East Central University in Ada, OK. Born and raised in North Pole, Alaska, John played football and wrote for the school paper at Ada High School in Ada, OK. He enjoys books, movies and travel, and lives in Broken Arrow, OK, with his wife and two kids.

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RYAN ABER

Ryan Aber has been covering Oklahoma football for more than a decade continuously and since 1999 overall. Ryan was the OU beat writer for The Oklahoman from 2013-2025, covering the transition from Bob Stoops to Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables. He covered OU men's basketball's run to the Final Four in 2016 and numerous national championships for the Sooners' women's gymnastics and softball programs. Prior to taking on the Sooners beat, Ryan covered high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Oklahoma City Barons for the newspaper from 2006-13. He spent two seasons covering Arkansas football for the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas before returning to his hometown of Oklahoma City. Ryan also worked at the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the Muskogee Phoenix. At the Phoenix, he covered OU's national championship run in 2000. Ryan is a graduate of Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

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