It’s football tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime in Oklahomaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I really want to be in Norman today, folks. Tailgating and partaking in the revelry is a major component of my fall Saturdays, and I have a big ol’ hole in my heart. I will, however, be watching the game with family and friends, and I’ll try to simulate the game day experience as best I can. Fireball (which I don’t actually like, but it always ends up being a factor) will be consumed. I’ll probably yell at an older relative for sitting down during a defensive possession. Might even urinate in a bush because I can’t find a port-o-potty. We’ll see.

By the way, DID Y’ALL SEE THIS??

Oklahoma Sooners by infinity.

Coverage Info

TV: PPV available on DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse and select cable providers (Cable/Channel Listings)

Time: 6:00 P.M. CT

Live Stream: Available worldwide on SoonerSports.tv and the SoonerSports apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Android for $54.99. Can be paired with an annual subscription for $79.99.

TV Commentary: Chad McKee, Chuck Long (!!!) and C.T. Steckel

Radio: SoonerSports Radio Network and TuneIn App

Line: Oklahoma -44.0

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Game Day Reading/Listening

Oklahoma vs. Missouri State: Game preview, storylines & predictions

Depth Chart

Thinned-out defensive line looking for answers

Linebackers adjusting on the fly

The current state of the running back position

Can the secondary be a strength?

OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN PODCAST: Game week, depth chart surprises, Rattler’s receiving targets, and more!

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Final Thoughts

• Big debuts - We’re all patiently awaiting the starting debut of Spencer Rattler, so that’s a given. He’ll probably get a half action, light up Missouri State and have an absurd efficiency rating entering Big 12 play. My focus will be on true freshman WR Marvin Mims, who replaces CeeDee Lamb as Oklahoma’s punt returner. My other name would be highly-touted JUCO DT Perrion Winfrey, but he’s not going to receive much of a test today. There’s another name that I’m leaving out, and you’ll find out why.
• Absences - We already know that we won’t see Kennedy Brooks or Jalen Redmond due to opt-outs. Then there’s Caleb Kelly, Jadon Haselwood, Marcus Hicks and Justin Harrington, who will be out due to injury. Finally, we have Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson and Trejan Bridges are out due to the NCAA’s insistence on clinging to its archaic views on a plant (one that is essentially legal in Oklahoma). Beyond these names, there are more that will miss today’s game due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. How many names? Well, enough names to put the game in doubt up until as late as Friday morning. But hey... it’s Missouri State, and there’s a bye week between this game and Big 12 play.
• Merv Johnson retires - Former OU assistant coach and longtime radio analyst Merv Johnson called it a career on Friday, and what a career it was. Before being hired by Barry Switzer in 1979, Johnson coached at Notre Dame, where he played a role in giving Rudy an opportunity. He’s been in the booth since 1999, and although his role had diminished in recent years, he certainly leaves a void in the radio broadcasts and his perspective will be missed. Enjoy your retirement, Coach Merv!

Prediction

Oklahoma 65, Missouri State 0

Staff Picks

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