Oklahoma vs. No. 17 Kentucky: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions

Coming off a big win over the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown, the Oklahoma Sooners face another challenge as they play at home for the first time in nearly a month. The Sooners welcome the 5-1 Kentucky Wildcats, who arrive in Norman after an upset of the LSU Tigers.

It's the third consecutive top 25 opponent the Sooners will face after taking on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 1 Texas Longhorns. Kentucky comes into the game No. 17 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The last time the Sooners took the field inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium was a 14-6 win over New Mexico.

This week's matchup with Kentucky pits strength vs. strength when the Wildcats offense is on the field against the Sooners' defense. It will also be weakness vs. weakness when the Oklahoma offense works against the Kentucky defense. The game will be decided by which team can maintain an advantage when its strongest unit is on the field while elevating its weakness.

And likely it will come down to a possession or two.

Here's how the staff at Sooners Wire thinks the game is going ot go.

Two in a row for the Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners finally found some offensive success, especially in the second half against Texas. The Sooners ran for over 80 yards in that half, and John Mateer made two huge throws that should give him confidence. Kentucky is not a team to sleep on. Will Stein has a physical and confident group. They also might have the best offensive line in the SEC. Still, I like the Sooners. 24-17.

Oklahoma 24, Kentucky 17

Jaron Spor, Contributor

Trench Play Wins the Day

Although both teams are coming off top 10 wins, the Sooners should have the edge in this one. SEC games are won in the trenches, and this game will feature one of the best offensive lines (Kentucky) vs. one of the best defensive lines (Oklahoma) in the country. I like OU in that matchup. Across the board the Sooners’ D-Line is playing their best football. On the other side, Oklahoma looks to have found an offensive rhythm. With John Mateer playing with more confidence and the offensive line looking to have found a cohesive bunch, OU is playing like the top 10 team they were projected to be this season. This all coming as Oklahoma should have key guys returning this week. It’ll be a low-scoring game, but OU gets the win at home.

Oklahoma 17, Kentucky 10

James D. Jackson, Contributor

Riding the High

Both teams are coming off of emotional wins, so who responds better to success? Kentucky’s offensive line poses a significant threat to the Oklahoma defensive front, and that’s the matchup to watch this week. On the other side, the Wildcats aren’t as good on defense as some of the other teams the Sooners have already faced this year. If OU can build upon a thrilling victory last week, they can take down another ranked team this week, although it’ll be another four-quarter affair.

Oklahoma 20, Kentucky 14

Aaron Gelvin, Contributor

Lloyd Avant Day

After putting the offense on his back in the second half of last week's win over Texas, Lloyd Avant finds even more success against the Kentucky Wildcats' defense. The Sooners control the clock with the run game to keep the defense fresh against Will Stein's offense. Kenny Minchey and C.J. Baxter are having really good seasons and the Wildcats can put points on the board, but the Sooners get enough stops to limit the Wildcats success.

Oklahoma 24, Kentucky 13

John Williams, Lead Writer

Oklahoma Sooners 2026 Staff Predictions

Preseason Predictions

Week 1: Predictions vs. UTEP

Week 2: Predictions vs. Michigan

Week 3: Predictions vs. New Mexico

Week 4: Predictions vs. Georgia

Week 5: Predictions vs. Texas