In Week 6 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season, the Kent State Golden Flashes head to Norman, OK, to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM, the game will be held at Memorial Stadium and broadcasted on SECN. The Sooners, ranked #5 in the AP Poll and #8 in the Coaches Poll, host this afternoon contest.
The Golden Flashes have had a challenging start to their season, currently holding a 1-3 record. They are yet to secure a win on the road, with a 0-2 road record, and are coming off a tough defeat to Florida State, losing 66-10. As part of the Mid-American Conference, Kent State looks to change their momentum against a formidable opponent.
Oklahoma, a member of the Southeastern Conference, enters this game undefeated with a 4-0 record. The Sooners have demonstrated their strength at home with a 3-0 record in Norman. Their recent victory was a closely contested 24-17 win over Auburn, showcasing their ability to handle competitive games on their turf.
Oklahoma vs Kent State At a Glance
- Game Location: Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM
- TV Channel: SECN
- Oklahoma’s Current Record: 4-0
- Kent State’s Current Road Record: 0-2
- Spread Odds: Oklahoma -45.5 (-110), Kent State +45.5 (-110)
The Oklahoma Sooners: A Dominant Force on the Gridiron
Offensive Performance
The Oklahoma Sooners have shown an impressive offensive capability this season. They rank 34th in passing yards with 1,220, demonstrating a strong aerial attack. However, their rushing game lags behind, ranking 108th with just 505 rushing yards.
First downs have been a consistent aspect of the Sooners’ game, where they rank 37th with 91 first downs. This stat highlights their ability to maintain possession and control the pace of the game. Scoring-wise, the Sooners have accumulated 125 points, ranking them 54th nationally.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Sooners have been formidable, allowing only 36 points against them, placing them 10th in the nation. Their pass rush is especially noteworthy, with 17 sacks, ranking them 4th. This relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a critical factor in their success.
Interestingly, the Sooners have not recorded any interceptions or fumble recoveries this season. Despite this, their ability to limit scoring and disrupt passing plays has been effective in keeping opponents at bay.
Recent Performances
Oklahoma’s recent games have been marked by strong victories. They won 24-17 against Auburn, showcasing their ability to secure wins even in tight contests. The win over Temple was particularly dominant, with a commanding 42-3 scoreline.
Against Michigan, the Sooners managed a solid 24-13 victory. Their home game against Illinois State also ended in a convincing 35-3 win, highlighting their home field advantage.
Key Players
Quarterback John Mateer has been instrumental, leading the team with 1,215 passing yards, ranking 1st within the team and 18th nationally. Mateer’s performance is a key component of Oklahoma’s offensive success. Unfortunately, he is currently sidelined with a thumb injury.
In the running game, Tory Blaylock leads with 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns. While his yardage ranks lower, his scoring ability makes him a vital part of the team’s offense.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 20 Games → 17-3 (85.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 30 Games → 24-6 (80.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 4 Games → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: Last 15 Games → 12-3 (80.0%)
- ATS – All Games: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – As Favorite: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
Kent State Golden Flashes: Seeking Momentum Against Oklahoma Sooners
Offensive Performance Analysis
The Kent State Golden Flashes have struggled offensively in the 2025 season, with only 73 points scored, ranking them 84th nationally. Their passing game has generated 816 yards, placing them 98th, while their rushing attack ranks a disappointing 126th with 372 yards. This limited offensive production has resulted in just 57 first downs, ranked 63rd.
Dru DeShields, the team’s leading quarterback, has managed to throw for 642 yards with five touchdowns and one interception over four games. While these stats show promise, the team will need a more balanced attack to enhance their offensive effectiveness. Gavin Garcia leads the rushing efforts, but his 175 yards over four games highlight the challenges on the ground.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, Kent State has allowed 176 points, ranked 113th, which underlines their struggles in containing opposing offenses. However, their defensive line has shown some strength, recording four sacks, ranking 17th. Notably, they have excelled in creating turnovers with two interceptions and two fumbles recovered, both ranking in the top five nationally.
The team’s secondary needs to tighten up against high-caliber passing offenses, as demonstrated in their recent loss to Florida State where they allowed 277 passing yards. Improvement in pass coverage will be crucial against Oklahoma’s potent offense. Kent State’s defense will need to focus on tackling consistency and avoiding big plays.
Recent Performance Recap
The Golden Flashes opened the season with a win against Merrimack College, but have since suffered three consecutive losses. Their most recent game resulted in a 66-10 defeat at the hands of Florida State, highlighting the need for improvement on both sides of the ball. The team showed competitive spirit in a narrow 31-28 loss to Buffalo, indicating potential for closer contests.
In their other outing against Texas Tech, they conceded 62 points while scoring just 14, illustrating defensive vulnerabilities against high-scoring teams. Consistency in offensive drives and bolstered defensive strategies will be vital as they prepare for Oklahoma.
Key Injuries
The Golden Flashes are facing injury concerns that may impact their performance. CJ Montes, a quarterback, and running back Jordan Nubin are both questionable with undisclosed injuries. Offensive lineman Dustyn Morell and running back Donovan Delaney Jr. are also uncertain to play, which could affect both their passing protection and rushing game.
With key players potentially sidelined, Kent State will rely on their depth and adaptability to adjust game plans accordingly. The team will need to emphasize player health and manage injuries effectively to ensure optimal performance.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 20 Games (2020–2025) → 15-5 (75.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 17 Games (2022–2025) → 11-6 (64.7%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 26 Games (2022–2025) → 15-11 (57.7%)
Oklahoma vs Kent State Prediction: Oklahoma -45.5
The Oklahoma Sooners enter this game with a perfect 4-0 record, having demonstrated dominance in both home and away games. Their offensive capability, ranked 34th in passing yards, should allow them to exploit a Kent State defense that has already allowed 176 points this season. Oklahoma’s recent ATS performance, a perfect 3-0 in 2025, showcases their ability to cover large spreads.
Kent State, with a 1-3 record and a defense ranked 113th in points allowed, will struggle against a top-tier Oklahoma offense. The Golden Flashes’ road performance has been less than stellar, with a 0-2 record, making it unlikely they can contain the Sooners’ high-octane attack. The spread at -45.5 reflects the disparity between these two programs, and Oklahoma’s track record suggests they can cover it.
Playing at Memorial Stadium, where the Sooners hold a strong 3-0 home record this season, provides Oklahoma an added advantage. Kent State’s inability to generate offense consistently, evidenced by their 126th rank in rushing yards, makes it challenging for them to keep pace. With the total set at 53.5, expect Oklahoma’s defense, ranked 10th in points against, to limit Kent State’s scoring opportunities, further solidifying the case for the Sooners covering the spread.
The historical matchup also favors Oklahoma, as they previously defeated Kent State 33-3 in 2022. Given the current form and statistics, expect a repeat performance from the Sooners, with the projected score indicating a comfortable victory. As such, the recommended pick is Oklahoma -45.5.
- Oklahoma vs Kent State Prediction: Oklahoma -45.5
- Oklahoma vs Kent State Score: Oklahoma 55 – Kent State 3
