Auburn vs. Oklahoma 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions

The game Auburn Tigers fans have been waiting for since Week 1 is finally here. It’s an Auburn vs. Oklahoma showdown in Week 4, and we’re about to dive into this 2025 game preview.

Auburn Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners: Matchup History

Somewhat surprisingly, these schools have only played three times in history. The latest contest was last year’s 27-21 meltdown by the Tigers at home. Prior to that game, the Tigers and Sooners had played in 2016 and in 1971. The largest margin of victory between was for the Sooners in 1971, where they won 40-22.

This game is very important for Auburn’s entire season because a win could set a playoff run into motion for the Tigers. The most intriguing storyline is Auburn’s starting quarterback, Jackson Arnold. The former Sooner returns to Norman as an opponent, and will play a vital role in the contest.

Auburn vs. Oklahoma 2025 Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions

Auburn Tigers

Key Players on Offense

Jackson Arnold, Eric Singleton Jr., and Jeremiah Cobb are the key players for Auburn’s offense this week. Cobb has started two games in the absence of Damari Alston. While Alston is returning, Cobb will still be important because of the nature of Alston’s injury. Damari will not be able to repeatedly take hits, especially in his shoulder. Keeping him fresh with Cobb getting enough touches will be key to Alston being available throughout the game. The junior running back has accumulated 314 yards on 46 carries and has scored four rushing touchdowns. Expect him to get between 15 and 2o touches again.

Eric Singleton’s streak of 27 games with a reception continued last week against South Alabama. He leads the team in receptions (13) and receiving touchdowns (2) while being tied for first with 149 receiving yards. His versatility has been observed in the rushing game as well, where he has five carries for 25 yards. Singleton will have to help Arnold in his return to Norman take advantage of Cam Coleman’s coverage. Oklahoma should double cover Coleman, leaving Singleton in single coverage.

Finally, the most important player for Auburn to succeed offensively is Arnold. The quarterback has been good in three games so far, showing various parts of his game in each. Against Baylor, Auburn did not have to throw the ball a lot and could run successfully. Yet it was important that Arnold made the correct decisions based on what Baylor was giving him defensively. Arnold and head coach Hugh Freeze will have to do this against Oklahoma.

This year, Jackson has 501 passing yards with a 69.6 completion percentage and four touchdowns. He has also rushed the ball 35 times for 192 yards and four scores. Arnold has protected the football well this year, and will have to continue to do so against his former team to win the game.

Key Players on Defense

The Auburn defense was heralded as the strong point of the team. However, they have struggled with a bend but don’t break mentality. Baylor was able to put up 419 passing yards against the Tigers, and this is the biggest concern against Oklahoma.

Yet one group on the team looking to prevent that are the safeties. Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee have been good enough at the cornerback position, but the clear hole in the secondary has come from the safeties seeming to be out of position and not communicating well. They all have to be better for Auburn to have a chance in this game. Kaleb Harris, Sylvester Smith, and, if healthy, Champ Anthony, are going to have to play better as a cohesive unit.

Keldric Faulk is always a key player for the Tigers, but especially in this game. Amaris Williams hurt his shoulder in the South Alabama contest, meaning that the depth of the defensive line is a bit shallower. Freshman Jared Smith played well last week, and should continue to get snaps, yet none are as commanding as Faulk. The star player has eight tackles, one sack and two pass deflections.

Keyron Crawford is the final key player for the Tigers. He currently leads the team in both tackles (16) and sacks (3). He will have to create pressure across from Faulk and get to Mateer as much as possible.

Oklahoma Sooners

Key Players on Offense

Just like with Auburn, Oklahoma has a very clear key player in quarterback John Mateer. Mateer, the redshirt junior, has been the best quarterback in the SEC with 944 yards with a 67.6 completion percentage and five touchdowns. He has been sacked three times and also recorded three interceptions. Mateer is also a threat on the ground with 161 yards on 33 carries and four touchdowns. Auburn will have its work cut out for them trying to stop him.

The next two key players for the Sooners are Mateer’s top two targets. Deion Burks and Jaren Kanak are a cut above the rest when it comes to the Oklahoma receiving corp. Kanak has 14 receptions for 245 yards, while Burks has 17 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns. In an interview following practice, Mateer raved about how he and Kanak are building chemistry and how Jaren always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Meanwhile, Burks has real NFL potential. Both of players clearly have a connection with Mateer and will be a problem for the Auburn defense, especially one that has struggled in the secondary.

Key Players on Defense

Oklahoma should focus on stopping the run and forcing Jackson Arnold into throwing the ball as much as possible. The problem with this, though, is that Auburn runs the RPO exceptionally well; Oklahoma will have to find a way to stop this. The first key player for the Sooners to do this is junior linebacker, Sammy Omosigho. Omosigho has shown the ability to be all over the field, recording 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three pass deflections. All of these lead or are tied for the lead on the Sooner defense, so Auburn will have to find a way to neutralize Omosigho.

Gentry Williams, redshirt junior cornerback, and Courtland Guillory, freshman cornerback, are the other two key players for Oklahoma. These two have the primary responsibility of covering Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman. The challenge in stopping those receivers will be great. Yet if they can do it, Auburn will be forced to rely on players with less name value. The Auburn receiving group has depth, so Oklahoma must shut down the passing game so the Tigers become one-dimensional.

Honorable mention for Oklahoma is R Mason Thomas. Thomas has been suspended for the first half of this game due to a questionable targeting call against Temple last week. He will come back in the second half and cause problems for the Sooners. He is talented and his presence and lack thereof in the first half will be felt.

2025 Game Preview: How Auburn Wins vs. Oklahoma in Week 4

Auburn opened as 5.5-point underdogs and that line has actually grown to 6.5. To go into Norman and pull off the upset, Auburn will have to do a few things.

The first is to communicate effectively on defense – specifically in the secondary. If that does not improve, they will lose this game. Yet perhaps more importantly, they will have to create pressure on John Mateer. Allowing Mateer to sit back and operate the offense will not go well, but the Tigers will also have to keep his rushing ability in check. The way to affect both of these is with constant pressure from the defensive line.

For the Auburn offense, Jackson Arnold must make good decisions. Head coach Hugh Freeze has shown a bit of maturity this year by taking what the defense has given him. By doing so, he has allowed Arnold to operate the offense and make good decisions. That has led to zero turnovers so far this year. Arnold will have to keep that up against Oklahoma and protect the ball.

Finally, Auburn will need to strive to maintain balance offensively. If Oklahoma is able to force this team to be one-dimensional, then Auburn will likely struggle to move the ball consistently.

Final Prediction: Oklahoma Wins, 31-28

Auburn Tigers: Recruiting Roundup

An update to one player’s rank occurred this week, as wide receiver Jase Matthews was upgraded to a five-star wide receiver. Auburn is also battling with Kentucky for four-star EDGE Ben Duncum. Duncum has not visited Auburn, but with a flip predicted, that could change once the Tigers return home.

Texas A&M four-star athlete commit Kaeden Johnson will also take an official visit to Auburn on October 11. Look to that date to be a big recruiting weekend for Auburn for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry game against Georgia – and the retirement of Cam Newton’s jersey.