Oklahoma's Freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Debuts Against Auburn
- Oklahoma is set to face Auburn in their first Southeastern Conference matchup, with both teams struggling at quarterback.
- The Sooners are looking to bounce back from a recent loss to Tennessee, while Auburn aims to improve its poor turnover margin.
- This game marks the first regular season meeting between the two teams, with Oklahoma leading the historical series.
The upcoming game between Oklahoma and Auburn is significant for both teams as they navigate early season challenges in the Southeastern Conference. Oklahoma, currently ranked 21st, is looking to recover from a disappointing 25-15 loss to No. 5 Tennessee, which marked their first defeat of the season. Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will be making his first career start, having replaced former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold during the Tennessee game. Hawkins showed promise in the second half, passing for 132 yards and a touchdown while also contributing on the ground. Auburn, on the other hand, is grappling with a troubling minus-10 turnover margin, which ranks them near the bottom of the FBS. The Tigers have struggled to protect the ball, and this has been a critical factor in their two losses this season. Running back Jarquez Hunter has been a bright spot for Auburn, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, but the team will need to find more consistency at quarterback to turn their season around. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first regular season meeting between Oklahoma and Auburn, despite the Sooners having won both previous encounters in bowl games. The stakes are high for both teams as they seek their first SEC victory and aim to keep their playoff hopes alive. As the game approaches, both teams are under pressure to perform, with Oklahoma hoping to capitalize on their defensive strength, which includes leading the nation in forced turnovers. Meanwhile, Auburn must address their turnover issues to avoid further decline in their season.