The Oklahoma Sooners moved up a couple of spots in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll released on Sunday after their 44-0 win over Kent State. Through five games, Oklahoma has a strong case for the best defense in the nation, leading the nation in several categories and ranking second in others.
Just like they are in the Coaches Poll, the Sooners come in at No. 6 in ESPN’s latest power rankings after Week 6. Ohio State takes the top spot, followed by Miami, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.
Saturday, the Sooners were led by Michael Hawkins Jr. and a running game that featured Tory Blaylock and an improved version of Jaydn Ott from what we’ve seen thus far.
Hawkins had a solid outing, but left some plays on the table. He’ll have an opportunity to continue to improve with reps in practice if OU is planning on him starting and playing this week against Texas. And he’ll need to because the Texas defense is arguably the best Oklahoma has seen this season.
However, regardless of who starts at quarterback for Oklahoma on Saturday against Texas, the Sooners have a defense that can win them a football game, complementing an offense that is far more capable than the unit we saw last year.
The Sooners have passed every test they’ve faced this season, including AP Top 25 wins over Michigan and Auburn. But arguably their biggest test of the season to date comes Saturday in the Cotton Bowl when they take on an unranked Texas team.
Texas may be struggling offensively, but they still have playmakers at wide receiver, and Arch Manning is a player who can beat you with his legs if you allow him to break containment. It’s a game the Sooners can’t take lightly, regardless of how Texas has looked against Power Four competition, Ohio State, and Florida. The Red River Rivalry is one of the most unpredictable games in college football. As the cliche goes, throw the records out the window.
If Oklahoma approaches this game the same way they’ve approached every game in 2025, they’ll have a great chance to walk out of the Cotton Bowl undefeated at the halfway point in the season.
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