The One Big Thing About Oklahoma-Kent State Actually Started Last Week

A question that will never be answered in good faith:

What percentage of Oklahoma’s practice snaps these past two weeks were focused on this Saturday’s opponent (Kent State), and what percentage were focused on next Saturday’s (Texas)?

If the answer lies somewhere in the 20:80 ratio — then it could have been more.

Oklahoma will have no trouble with the Golden Flashes when they meet on Owen Field on Saturday afternoon. OU’s a 45 1/2-point favorite, but if the Sooners win by 28 and stay healthy, that’s plenty.

That’s not to say there isn’t value in executing at a high level against their overmatched opponent.

Michael Hawkins needs to look good, feel good and play good this week so he can do so again next week in Dallas.

With starting QB John Mateer on the shelf this week following surgery last Wednesday to repair a broken thumb on his throwing hand, Hawkins now drives the Sooner schooner.

This isn’t like last year, where Hawkins is being called upon to replace a turnover-prone starter who’s being demoted. Hawkins’ lot this year is to fill in until Mateer gets back.

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OU is 4-0 and has risen to No. 5 in this week’s AP Top 25 largely because of one of college football’s most dominant defenses, but also because Mateer has rejuvenated the Oklahoma offense. 

After ranking at or near the bottom of most NCAA statistical categories last year, the Sooner offense this year ranks in the top 40 nationally in completion percentage, first downs, passing yards, red zone scoring, points per game and sacks allowed, and is No. 50 in total offense.

There’s plenty of room for improvement, particularly with a running game that still can’t consistently generate forward push.

But for the time being, that improvement must happen with Hawkins taking the snaps.

And remember, Texas has one of the nation’s most formidable defenses. The Longhorns rank No. 4 nationally in total defense, No. 3 in rush defense, No. 16 in pass defense and No. 2 in scoring defense. They’re fifth in the country in third down defense, second in fourth down defense, and second in first downs allowed.

Assuming Mateer’s damaged digit isn’t magically healed by next week (Dr. Shin is good, but is he a miracle healer?), then it’ll be Hawkins again taking on Texas. Last year he became the first Sooner QB to start in the Red River Rivalry as a true freshman, so it stands to reason he’ll be more ready this year.

But Hawkins — who completed just 19-of-30 passes for 148 yards and was sacked six times (he netted 27 yards on 20 rushing attempts) in the Sooners’ 34-3 loss to the ‘Horns in last year’s beatdown — needs to be more than just ready.

He needs to be very, very good next week in the Cotton Bowl if the Sooners are going to topple Texas and keep this undefeated vibe going toward a College Football Playoff berth.

And that starts this week when he leads the OU offense onto Owen Field against Kent State.

Or rather, it actually started last week, when Hawkins stepped into Mateer’s shoes during the bye week and got all those practice reps for the Texas game.