The Oklahoma Sooners get another Saturday test with momentum on both sidelines when they host South Carolina in Week 9. Oklahoma enters at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in SEC play after a road win over Mississippi State, while the Gamecocks arrive at 4-3 and 2-3 after knocking off Florida and Tennessee in consecutive games.
The matchup puts strength against strength. South Carolina is averaging 36.1 points per game, which ranks fifth in the SEC, while Oklahoma’s defense has been holding opponents to 17.7 points per game, good for fourth in the conference. On the other side, the Sooners will get a chance to keep building with an offense that has shown signs of life since the second half of the Texas win, facing a South Carolina defense that has allowed 25.3 points per game.
Sooners Wire’s staff sees a game that could tilt on whether Oklahoma can handle LaNorris Sellers and prevent the Gamecocks from getting rolling. Sellers and defensive end Dylan Stewart have helped fuel South Carolina’s recent surge, and several of the predictions center on the Sooners’ defensive front making life difficult for the quarterback.
One forecast leans on Oklahoma’s defense to come through again, with the prediction that if the Sooners avoid giveaways and force a couple of South Carolina turnovers, they can squeeze out a win.
Oklahoma 14, South Carolina 13
Aaron Gelvin, Contributor
Another prediction points directly at Sellers as the key variable. The outlook there is that Oklahoma’s defensive line, one of the best in the country, can disrupt the dual-threat quarterback enough to help the Sooners put together a second straight victory, something they have not done this season.
Oklahoma 17, South Carolina 10
James D. Jackson, Contributor
One staff pick goes bigger on the Oklahoma side, noting that the Sooners haven’t won back-to-back games since beating Missouri and LSU in consecutive weeks last season. The offense has been moving the ball well lately, but the next step is turning those drives into points. That prediction says Oklahoma will do that against a South Carolina team described as pesky, and it also notes that the Sooners can avenge the 35-9 loss the last time the Gamecocks visited Norman.
Oklahoma 27, South Carolina 10
Jaron Spor, Contributor
The final prediction sees continued progress from John Mateer and the Oklahoma offense. The view there is that the Sooners have been better over their last three games than they were in the first four, with more consistency, better balance, and steadier play from Mateer. After what was described as a more confident, rhythmic performance against Mississippi State, the expectation is that Oklahoma carries that forward into another win.
Oklahoma 24, South Carolina 20
John Williams, Lead Writer
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Oklahoma May Need Caleb Nitta Sooner Than Anyone Expected
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If Maikkula cant go, Caleb Nitta could be called on earlier than the Sooners would like, and the staff seems comfortable with what they have behind him. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has praised Nittas preparation and intelligence, the sort of trust that matters most when the offensive line is being reshuffled on short notice. For a team already juggling injuries, the biggest concern now is whether Oklahoma can keep the middle of the line steady enough to avoid forcing even more adjustments. [Read more 🡒]
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The report also showed several other Oklahoma players spread across the out, doubtful and probable categories, adding another layer of uncertainty for a team trying to get settled before kickoff. With key spots still up in the air, the Sooners will be watching the availability list closely right up until game time. [Read more 🡒]
Bixby Gets Its Biggest Test Yet With District Title On The Line
Undefeated Bixby and undefeated Broken Arrow are set to meet Friday in a showdown that should feel like more than just a district game. The winner takes the District 6AI-1 title, and with both teams sitting inside the top three of the High School On SI Oklahoma Top 25, the matchup has the kind of weight that usually comes with playoff football in November, not a regular-season finale.
Broken Arrow brings a dangerous offense led by quarterback Shamar Banner, a University of Tulsa commit, while Bixby answers with a roster that includes several Division I commitments of its own. For the Spartans, this is a chance to protect their No. 1 spot and add another statement win to a season that has rolled along without a blemish, but Broken Arrow has every reason to believe it belongs on the same stage. [Read more 🡒]