NORMAN — With plenty of new faces, both on the field and on the sidelines, and high expectations, the OU football team opens its season Saturday.
The Sooners will take on FCS Illinois State at 5 p.m. at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.
Advertisement
While OU figures to win the game without too much of a challenge — the Sooners have won their eight games against FCS opponents since 1999 by an average of more than 56 points per game — there is still plenty of intrigue in this one.
The game will be the Sooners’ debut for new quarterback John Mateer, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and running back Jaydn Ott among others. It will be Brent Venables’ return to calling the defensive plays, and feature several young players either making their debuts or making their first starts as well.
Here’s a look at our predictions for the game:
More: Inside John Mateer’s journey from overlooked recruit to ‘bigger stage’ of OU football, SEC
Advertisement
More: How OU football offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle spearheaded culture shift for Sooners
Ryan Aber, OU beat writer
OU 54, Illinois State 7
ARBUCKLE UP
Sooners’ offense, John Mateer put up monster numbers in Ben Arbuckle’s debut as OC
Jenni Carlson, columnist
OU 59, Illinois State 3
ST. JOHN
Mateer looks like answer to Sooner prayers in opener rout
Joe Mussatto, columnist
OU 38, Illinois State 7
BIRD IN HAND
Sooners sputter early, roll past Redbirds to secure season-opening win.
Jeff Patterson, sports editor
OU 62, Illinois State 10
BIRD WALK
Sooners’ new-look offense looks sharp in opener with OC Ben Arbuckle, QB John Mateer leading the way.
Advertisement
Colton Sulley, OU beat writer
OU 42, Illinois State 3
MARVELOUS MATEER
John Mateer dazzles in his OU debut, tossing four touchdowns before sitting out the second half. The Sooners’ defense keeps the Redbirds out of the endzone.
Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
OU 49, Illinois State 6
BIRD HUNTERS
John Mateer is nearly flawless in a shortened outing as the Sooners overpower the Redbirds to open the season.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football vs Illinois State score predictions for Sooners-Redbirds
