Both the Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers are coming off embarrassing losses that left them with questions under center. Who will right the ship in Week 5?
Check out the latest betting odds, spread analysis, and our final Oklahoma vs. Auburn prediction ahead of Saturday’s new vs. old SEC battle.
Oklahoma vs. Auburn Betting Preview
All Oklahoma vs. Auburn odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
- Spread
Auburn -1 - Moneyline
Oklahoma -102, Auburn +118 - Over/Under
45 points - Game Time
3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 28 - Location
Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala. - Predicted Weather at Kick
81 degrees, seven mph winds, partly cloudy - How To Watch
ABC/ESPN+
Oklahoma opened as four-point favorites but has seen the spread drop two points amid a QB controversy. Jackson Arnold started the season as the successor to Dillon Gabriel, but after some lackluster offensive performances, Oklahoma has switched to true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr.
Still, Auburn has their own QB issues to worry about, and the Sooners remain favored until markets pushed them to a point underdog on Friday.
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Auburn is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last five games vs. SEC teams. Meanwhile, Oklahoma are 2-5 ATS in their last seven on the road. Failing to cover the spread in such a tight matchup could lead to a shock result. Meanwhile, the over has hit in nine of the Tigers’ last 11 contests as an underdog …
Prediction for Oklahoma vs. Auburn
This matchup is one of the toughest to call in Week 5 because Oklahoma remains an enigma—perhaps even to themselves. They opened the season by crushing Temple (51-3), squeaked by a weak Houston squad (16-12), handled Tulane (34-19), and then completely unraveled against Tennessee at home last week (25-15).
The Sooners’ only source of consistency has been their defense, but the offense remains a major question mark. Sophomore QB Arnold, once viewed as the team’s savior, has thrown an interception in three straight games, culminating in his benching against Tennessee after a dismal 7-of-16 outing for just 54 yards, a pick, and a lost fumble.
In his place, true freshman Hawkins took the reins and looked poised, completing 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, earning himself an extended look as the starter in this crucial Week 5 showdown with Auburn.
Oklahoma’s ground game has also been underwhelming. Arnold is tied as the team’s leading rusher with 138 yards alongside junior RB Jovantae Barnes, who hasn’t eclipsed 53 yards in any game this year and has just one touchdown to his name. The only real offensive standout has been WR Deion Burks, leading the Sooners in every receiving category with 26 catches, 201 yards, and three scores.
Oklahoma isn’t the squad with QB problems in this game — although Auburn’s issues are much more serious than that.
On the other side, Auburn’s quarterback situation is even more dire. Payton Thorne was benched after throwing four interceptions in Week 2, only to be forced back in last week when his replacement, Hank Brown, tossed three of his own in just one half. Until the Tigers find a quarterback who can protect the football, their offense will stay in neutral.
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Auburn’s one bright spot has been RB Jarquez Hunter, who has tallied 340 yards and two touchdowns on just 48 carries, averaging a solid 7.1 yards per rush. But the Tigers will struggle to lean on him alone against a stout Sooners defense.
Ultimately, I see Oklahoma bouncing back against a spiraling Auburn squad. Expect the Sooners to win outright and cover the slim 1.5-point spread comfortably. With both teams battling inconsistency at quarterback, I’d steer clear of the total in this one.
Prediction: Oklahoma 24, Auburn 18
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