OU-Kent State: Our Picks
John Hoover
Kent State has a lot of talent on offense. RB Marquez Cooper rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season, and WR Dante Cephus had more than 1,200 yards receiving. As a team, the Golden Flashes rushed for almost 4,000 yards. New QB Collin Schlee threw for 178 yards and a touchdown last week at Washington. Coach Sean Lewis will want to execute a high-tempo attack and the Flashes will try to match OU score for score. Defensively, it’s a different story. Kent State last season ranked 121st in scoring, 116th in rushing, 116th in passing and 124th in total defense. A change at the coordinator spot and seven returning starters should help. But expect Dillon Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense to feast.
Final: Oklahoma 56, Kent State 24
FOR MORE: How to Watch/Listen to Kent State v. Oklahoma
Ryan Chapman
Coming off a workmanlike season opener, the Sooners should once again control every aspect of the game. After getting out the Week 1 jitters, expect an improved showing from the offensive line to help prevent the second-quarter woes Oklahoma faced last Saturday. Kent State is going to try and match OU’s tempo, so things could once again get out of hand early if Brent Venables’ defense can hold up early on, paving the way for another Oklahoma blowout.
Final: Oklahoma 55, Kent State 17
Josh Callaway
The Golden Flashes are a decent team, having been picked to win their division in the MAC preseason poll. But this absolutely should be another walkover win for Oklahoma. Not much went right for Kent State in their season opener against Washington, with their pass defense being perhaps the most alarming. The Huskies threw it all over the yard on their secondary, which can't bode well for them against Dillon Gabriel and the bevy of receiving talent the Sooners possess. Fireworks will be on display under the lights on Saturday night as Oklahoma strikes for multiple big plays down the field and the OU defense continues the promising physicality and level of play we saw last week as Oklahoma rolls to another easy win and a 2-0 start to the Brent Venables era.
Final: Oklahoma 55, Kent State 17
