The Opening Drive: No. 22 Auburn at No. 11 Oklahoma

AUBURN, Ala. – With 11 of the Southeastern Conference’s 16 teams ranked in the Associated Press top 25 poll, you can expect to play a ranked league opponent more often than not. 

For No. 22 Auburn, Saturday’s road trip to No. 11 Oklahoma marks the first of four consecutive such challenges. 

“I think our league is very, very deep, and I think we’re playing one of the better teams in it this Saturday,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “That’s probably going to be the case for the next few Saturdays. That’s why you come to Auburn. That’s why you coach, that’s why you play here.”

Under Brent Venables, the Sooners have prided themselves on defense, yielding only 6.3 points per game in 2025. 

“They’ve only given up one touchdown this year,” Freeze said. “He does a great job, and he’s got great players. When I watch the tape, I’m looking, to me, at a team that should be in the playoff discussions. They’re that talented and that good. That defense is one of the more talented ones I’ve seen.”

With a healthy receiving corps and dual-threat transfer quarterback John Mateer, unbeaten Oklahoma averages 33.7 points per game.

“Runner, thrower, competitor, you can tell that team follows him, and he is their go-to guy in critical downs for whatever they need,” Freeze said. “He has the ability to do it, and he’s got good skill around him. Those receivers and the tight end are very talented, with a really good O-line and solid running backs. If you watch the tape, you think this team is one of the special ones and he’s the large reason.”

Saturday’s SEC opener marks the return to Norman for Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold, who played his first two seasons for the Sooners before transferring to Auburn. 

“He’s very mature,” said Freeze, who faced a similar situation at Liberty in 2021 in a game at Ole Miss. “We all understand people might cheer for him, boo him, whatever it is. I think he’s mentally strong and is more about preparing. My advice to him is to just keep the focus on our team. That was my advice to myself. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about our team preparing to go in to play.” 

No. 22 Auburn (3-0) plays No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0) Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. On the Auburn Sports Network, Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell and Ronnie Brown will deliver play-by-play, analysis and sideline reporting to listeners. 

THREE QUESTIONS WITH WR ERIC SINGLETON JR.

Q: How exciting is it to make your SEC debut in a nationally televised top 25 matchup? 

A: It’s my first SEC game. I’m excited to get out there. This week should be the first week we have everybody back and 100-percent healthy. It should be exciting to watch, a chance to give the fans what they want to see. You’ve got to take what the defense gives you. We’ve got to take what’s in front of us and take it play by play. 

Q: In addition to your 13 receptions (for 149 yards and two touchdowns) you also have five rushes for 25 yards. How much do you enjoy being part of the run game?  

A: Coach Freeze asked me, “Do I want the ball in my hands?” I let him know, of course I want the ball in my hands. I don’t have to rely on the ball being in the air or being double teamed, I can just get the ball and make a play, make something happen. I grew up playing football, you get tackled your whole life, it’s just part of the game.

Q: Of the 15 times you’ve been targeted this season, you’ve made 13 receptions (87%). How much do you pride yourself on that high percentage? 

A: I feel like if the ball comes my way, I’m supposed to catch it. If I don’t, I get down on myself.  

INSIDE THE SERIES: OKLAHOMA

Saturday’s game will mark Auburn’s first trip to Norman, Oklahoma in program history, making the Sooner State the 25th different state the Tigers have played in all-time. Auburn is 0-3 all-time against Oklahoma. The first two meetings came in the Sugar Bowl (1972, 2017) and the third came at home last year.  

Auburn starting quarterback Jackson Arnold returns to Oklahoma for the first time since transferring to Auburn in the spring of 2025. With the Sooners, he passed for 1,421 yards and 12 TD as a sophomore in 2024, playing in 10 games with nine starts.

BY THE NUMBERS

10: The Tigers have recorded 10 rushing touchdowns through the first three games of the season, which is tied for second in the SEC. Jackson Arnold and Jeremiah Cobb are tied for the team lead with four rushing touchdowns apiece. Auburn had 13 rushing touchdowns throughout all of 2024. 

18: A year after finishing last in the SEC in red zone scoring, Auburn has converted on all nine of its red-zone possessions this season with seven touchdowns and two field goals. The Tigers are one of 18 FBS teams to have scored on all of their red-zone opportunities through the first three weeks of the season. 

26: Auburn is tied for first in the SEC and ranks top 15 nationally in tackles for loss with 26 on the season. The Tigers’ 11 sacks are fourth in the league and tied for sixth in the FBS. Thirteen players have recorded a TFL for Auburn this season while eight have tallied at least one sack. 

30: The Tigers have scored 30 or more points in each of the first three games (38 at Baylor, 42 vs. Ball State, 31 vs. South Alabama) for the first time since 2009 (37 vs. Louisiana Tech, 49 vs. Mississippi State, 41 vs. West Virginia).