Jackson Arnold looks to follow 4 TD opener as No. 15 Oklahoma hosts Houston
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs for a fist down as Temple cornerback Jamel Johnson (20) reaches for the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams
Houston at No. 15 Oklahoma, Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (SECN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Oklahoma by 29 1/2.
Series record: Oklahoma leads 3-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Oklahoma's defense was disruptive in a 51-3 home win over Temple, forcing six turnovers to go with six sacks and nine tackles for loss. Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold threw four touchdown passes, including three to Purdue transfer Deion Burks. Houston needs a bounce-back performance after playing poorly on both lines of scrimmage in a 27-7 home loss to UNLV. The Cougars gave up 195 yards rushing and six sacks in Willie Fritz’s first game as coach.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma defensive line vs. Houston offensive line. The Sooners were dominant against Temple, limiting the Owls to 1.9 yards per carry. Can they find the same success against Houston, which rushed for 38 yards against UNLV and struggled to protect the quarterback?
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball against Temple during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams
“We may move some guys to different spots, but we'll keep experimenting with rotations until we find the right one,” Fritz said.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston: The quarterbacks. Look for Houston to play two and possibly three players at this position. Starter Donovan Smith and backup Uli Ale both played against UNLV, and Louisiana transfer Zeon Chriss could see playing time as well.
Oklahoma: RB Taylor Tatum. The true freshman made the most of his four carries against Temple, averaging 16.5 yards per carry. Tatum reeled off runs of 19 yards and 35 yards in the fourth quarter before scoring his first career TD on an 8-yard rush.
Oklahoma running back Taylor Tatum (8) scores a touchdown against Temple during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 51-3. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams
“He did well with his opportunity and will earn more of an opportunity,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said.
FACTS & FIGURES
Fritz, who coached Tulane for eight years before taking over at Houston, is 10-0 in true road games the past two years ... Oklahoma players will wear throwback uniforms similar to those worn by teams that Bud Wilkinson's coached to national championships in 1950, 1955 and and 1956. ... Two former Sooners, DB Latrell McCutchin Sr. and LB Jamal Morris, started for Houston against UNLV. Morris led the Cougars with seven tackles, including a tackle for loss. McCutchin had three tackles.
