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No. 5 Oklahoma hands keys to QB Michael Hawkins Jr. vs Kent State
The Oklahoma Sooners are turning to Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback as they host the Kent State Golden Flashes in Norman on Saturday. With John Mateer sidelined by a broken hand, Hawkins steps into a favorable spot, surrounded by a deep group of receivers and a defense ranked among the nation’s best. The Sooners are heavy favorites, and bettors can find this blowout watch highlighted in the college football week 6 odds and predictions.
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Line Movement and Odds
Oddsmakers opened Oklahoma as a massive -44 favorite, and the line has pushed up slightly to -45.5. The Sooners are priced with no moneyline, while Kent State remains a +45.5 dog. The total sits at 53.5, and with Oklahoma’s explosive offense, sharp bettors are looking to the over.
Matchup Breakdown
Kent State Golden Flashes Outlook
The Golden Flashes have dropped three straight, including a 66-10 rout at the hands of Florida State. Their offense has struggled, averaging under 14 points per game, but WR Cade Wolford (238 yards, 4 TDs) is a legitimate threat. Defensively, Kent State has flashed potential in creating turnovers and ranks top 20 nationally in sacks. To stay competitive, they’ll need to protect QB Dru DeShields and force takeaways early.
Oklahoma Sooners Outlook
Oklahoma is clicking on both sides of the ball. Michael Hawkins Jr. now takes over at QB, and his experience last season should stabilize the offense. The Sooners are averaging over 400 yards per game, with TE Jaren Kanak (77 yards per game) and WR Deion Burks leading the way. The defense has been dominant, allowing just 9 points per game, ranking 3rd nationally, while piling up 17 sacks. Their only concern has been the lack of forced turnovers, something Brent Venables wants corrected.
Key Battle
Oklahoma’s defensive front vs. Kent State’s offensive line. If the Sooners generate pressure, Kent State’s offense will collapse quickly.
Injuries and Conditions
Kent State Golden Flashes
- QB Dru DeShields (healthy, starter)
- WR Cade Wolford (healthy, key target)
- OL depth thin after recent injuries
Oklahoma Sooners
- QB John Mateer (hand) OUT
- QB Michael Hawkins Jr. (starter) making first 2025 start
- WR Javonnie Gibson (leg) making season debut
- CB Eli Bowen (returning from injury) available
- Weather: Mild, sunny conditions in Norman
Best Bets and Prediction
The spread is hefty at -45.5, but Oklahoma has the weapons to cover against a Kent State team that has been outscored 159-52 in its last three games. The model projects a 52-10 Sooners victory, pointing to Oklahoma -45.5 as the sharp play. With Kent State’s defense bleeding points, the over 53.5 is also a lean. For more breakdowns across the weekend, check this week’s full NCAAF previews.
Pick: Oklahoma -45.5
Projected Score: Oklahoma 52, Kent State 10
Lean: Over 53.5
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| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Oklahoma -45.5 |
| Confidence | ★★★★☆ |
| Projected Score | Oklahoma 52, Kent State 10 |
| Total Lean | Over 53.5 |
| Market Split | 64% bets Oklahoma, 51% money Kent State (sharp resistance) |
Handicappers and Picks
Stay ahead of the market with the leaderboard, track premium service plays, and grab free college football picks. The bettors handbook is also packed with insights to help refine your approach.
NFL bettors know that spotting value often begins with the underdog market, especially in divisional matchups where perception can drift from reality. The latest deep dive into NFL underdogs highlights how public perception can tilt the lines, creating chances for sharp plays that might not stand out at first glance. Understanding when a team is undervalued is one of the most consistent ways to build profit over the long season.
Primetime games, however, demand a different approach. The standalone spotlight of Sunday evenings always attracts heavier betting volume, which makes line movement worth watching closely. That’s why the Sunday Night Football odds and predictions breakdown is a valuable tool. It provides bettors with a clear picture of how oddsmakers are adjusting and where the betting action is flowing before kickoff.
The same sharp focus applies to the other primetime windows. Both Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football predictions give bettors the chance to isolate matchups with the whole betting market zeroed in. By tracking line adjustments and matchup breakdowns in these spotlight games, you can stay ahead of market shifts and avoid overpaying for public favorites.
