The Oklahoma Sooners will not be doing quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr any favors in his debut as the starter for the team.
Hawkins Jr and the Sooners offense will be without their top five wide receivers against the Auburn Tigers, who have proven to have a solid defense thus far.
Wide receivers Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, and Deion Burks are all likely going to miss the Tigers game. Gibson, Farooq, and Anderson have all been ruled out already, while Anthony has been labeled doubtful. Burks is the only receiver with a chance at playing as he is currently questionable and will be a game-time decision.
Oklahoma-Auburn availability report. pic.twitter.com/xE6hTVf2by
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) September 26, 2024
OU’s receiver room is so decimated by injuries that we went from one of the deepest receiver rooms in the country to converting a freshman DB to receiver mid season
This is insane
— Boomer Beamer (@ImDerBatman) September 26, 2024
It went south quick, these injuries are crucial
— BiGWaLk_23 🅾️U (@soupdaddy23) September 26, 2024
The Sooners will also be without defensive backs Gentry Williams and Kendel Dolby, along with offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett and kicker Taylor Keltner.
Oklahoma is fresh off of a difficult introduction to the SEC style of play that is ahead of them. The conference is known for tough, physical play and the Sooners left the game danged up and defeated. However, the second SEC opponent for the Sooners is also in a similar position on the offensive side of the football.
Quarterbacks Hank Brown and Payton Thorne both have started for the Tigers and have both been benched. The Tigers sat the veteran Thorne after a bad performance and then sat Brown in the middle of his bad performance.
Arnold was benched last game against the Volunteers due to turnover issues and miscues with timing as well, according to coach Brent Venables. The Sooners will now start the freshman Hawkins Jr against the Tigers over Arnold, but will likely have to rely on the run.
Oklahoma Sooners Offense Must Get Creative Against Tigers Without Bulk of Receiving Core
With the likelihood of the Sooners being without five of their top receivers against the Tigers, the offense might have to rely on running the football.
Venables stressed that the offense has specific timings on each play that must be met, and that factored into the quarterback switch. Hawkins Jr is a quick, elusive quarterback, and utilizing his legs is likely going to be something the Sooners offense does against Auburn.
In the recent loss to Arkansas, the Tigers allowed quarterback Taylen Green to run all over the defense, Green had 18 carries for 80 yards along with 152 yards passing. Auburn struggled to respond to the speed on Green and could struggle to stop Hawkins Jr as well.
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