OU football vs Kentucky TV channel, odds, scouting report for Sooners-Wildcats

NORMAN — It was thought if Oklahoma could figure out a way to get a win under its belt against Texas that the Sooners could potentially use the victory as fuel to turn around its season.

“We needed to get a win for obvious reasons,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “I want these guys to experience victory, certainly in this game was incredibly important.”

Fresh off their emotional Red River Rivalry upset, the Sooners are looking to carry the momentum into Saturday’s home game against 5-1 Kentucky.

The Wildcats knocked off LSU this past Saturday after converting a two-point try in overtime for the second straight week after UK did the same thing to defeat South Carolina. First-year Kentucky coach Will Stein has been one of the best stories in college football so far this season.

OU scored on defense and special teams against the Longhorns and might need to do the same if it wants to win Saturday. The Sooners’ offense scored only 13 points, totaling 238 yards but they seemed to find something in the run game with Lloyd Avant, while quarterback John Mateer took care of the football.

“We’ve got a really good Kentucky team coming into Norman next Saturday night,” Venables said. “Can’t go 8-0 until you go 1-0. Proud of our guys, proud of our coaches for their work, their fight and figuring it out and finding a way to get it done. Enjoy this for a few hours and get back to work. We’ve got a lot of improving. Several guys who didn’t play. They’re really good players. Hopefully we’ll get some guys back here really quick.”Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game:

Stream OU vs Kentucky live via ESPN

John Mateer plants flag after OU football upset vs Texas. Sooners QB ‘had that dog trait’

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

TV channel: SEC Network

Line: Sooners by 6.5

Over/under: 43.5

Record: 5-1

Best player: Quarterback Kenny Minchey might not be the most talented Wildcats player but he’s been sensational when it has mattered most. The Notre Dame transfer has completed over 67% of his passes for 1,394 yards, 11 touchdowns and only one interception. He has also been part of both two-point conversions, including his rush up the middle to beat LSU.

The case for Kentucky: The Wildcats are no longer just a fun story. Stein has already equaled UK’s win total from last season and has his team playing like a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. If Minchey continues to play clean football and Kentucky’s defense can force Mateer into mistakes, it could be a long night for the Sooners in Norman.

The case for OU: Momentum is a real thing. Maybe the Sooners’ rivalry win helps them go on a similar run to that of last year’s. Maybe offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and Mateer will continue to improve. OU’s defense has already proven it’s one of the country’s elite units and could be a problem for Minchey and the Wildcats. Not to mention the Sooners can create havoc on special teams.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football vs Kentucky TV channel, odds, scouting report for Sooners-Wildcats

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