Kentucky football will try to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Norman to face the Oklahoma Sooners under the lights, and both teams are coming off massive wins. We have previewed the heavyweight matchup of Will Stein's offense versus Brent Venables' defense, as well as an Oklahoma offense that has really struggled this season. We just went over our defensive X factors for the game, in which could be a low scoring dogfight. Now, let's preview the offensive X factors that can help these offenses score points.
QB Kenny Minchey
Kenny Minchey has shown poise in critical moments and commands this offense with comfortability. Minchey has done a great job at avoiding negative plays this season, getting the ball out quickly to avoid sacks and taking care of the football. This becomes extremely magnified against the Sooners defense, he has to keep playing clean football to put Kentucky in position to win this football game. The Sooners defense has allowed some explosives this season, shots will be available down the field and Minchey has to take advantage.
WR Kenny Darby
Kenny Darby has been unbelievable as a true freshman, we talk about it weekly how impressive he has been. Darby is without a doubt the best receiver for the Wildcats and has consistently made explosive plays this season. We mentioned that Oklahoma will allow explosive pass play opportunities if the offensive line blocks up the pressure looks Venables will send, Darby will have a chance to make more explosive plays this weekend. Expect Darby to see plenty of targets in this game.
Kentucky Interior Offensive Line
Kentucky's interior offensive line will have their hands full in this game with Oklahoma defensive tackles David Stone and Jayden Jackson. Center Coleton Price has been one of the best transfer portal additions in the conference, as well as guards Tegra Tshabola and Olaus Alinen; this interior faces their biggest test to date on Saturday. They have to get movement to get the running game going and they have to keep the middle of the pocket clean to allow Minchey time to get through his progressions. This is the one area that Oklahoma could wreck this offensive gameplan, and the interior offensive line cannot allow that to happen.
QB John Mateer
John Mateer is capable of making big plays with his legs and hitting explosives down the field. We have not really seen that much from the Sooners this season, but Mateer is capable. Last week, Mateer made his best throw of the season to put them in position for the game-winning field goal to beat Texas as he threw a back shoulder dime to Isaiah Sategna from the far hash. If Kentucky's defensive line can create havoc and make Mateer uncomfortable, that is when the negative plays start to pile up.
WR Isaiah Sategna
Speaking of Isaiah Sategna, he is the best weapon on this offense and one of the most dynamic wideouts in the country. Oklahoma has really struggled to run the football, and Sategna gives them the best chance to get find something offensively. The Sooners lived off explosive plays last season, but they are dead last in the SEC in explosive plays rate. This is an area they have to improve on, but Kentucky's defense has done a great job at limiting such plays this season; if they can shut down Sategna, it is hard to see the Oklahoma offense finding success on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky at Oklahoma: Offensive x-factors