No. 15 Oklahoma looks to get back on track with an intriguing nonconference matchup against Tulane on Saturday. The Sooners needed a late safety to survive a 16-12 upset attempt from Houston, which lost by 20 points against UNLV one week earlier. Quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Tulane was seconds away from upsetting No. 17 Kansas State before falling 34-27 to the Wildcats. The Green Wave led 27-20 in the fourth quarter, but a fumble from quarterback Darian Mensah was returned for a game-deciding K-State touchdown. Tulane outgained Kansas State by nearly 100 yards.
The matchup ironically represents the SEC’s past against its future. Tulane was an original member of the conference before voluntarily leaving the league in 1965, a decision its athletic staff would probably like to have back. Oklahoma and Tulane have only played twice in history, with the Sooners winning both matchups. The last time they played, Michael Pratt outdueled Spencer Rattler in 2021 to nearly pull off a monumental upset. Oklahoma ultimately escaped with a 40-35 victory.
Oklahoma vs. Tulane: Need to know
Offensive woes: Oklahoma’s offense put together one of its worst performances in years against a rebuilding Houston squad. The Sooners mustered just 252 yards and 2.8 yards per carry against a Cougars defense that surrendered 195 yards rushing to UNLV just one week prior. The unit has struggled with injuries, especially across the offensive line and at wide receiver, which has caused real issues for a unit already lacking in experience.
Mensah QB: Tulane had two veteran quarterbacks vying for the starting job, but a scout team member was ultimately impossible to ignore. Redshirt freshman Darian Mensah has been a revelation and nearly engineered a game-changing upset against Kansas State. He threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns, and had a game-tying pass controversially taken off the board by an offensive pass interference call. Mensah made some freshman mistakes, including backpedaling on a fumble, but he has all the tools to be a star college football quarterback for years to come.
Winning up front: While Oklahoma’s offense has been inconsistent, the defense has dominated up front. In the win against Houston, the Sooners posted seven tackles for loss and two sacks to hold the Cougars to only 1.7 yards per carry. Linebacker Danny Stutsman is an All-American linebacker who lives up to the title in every way and will be ready to blow up blows. Mensah will test the edges for Tulane, but if the Sooners can make the Green Wave one-dimensional, they can live with that.
How to watch Oklahoma vs. Tulane live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 13 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Stadium — City, State
TV: Channel | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Oklahoma vs. Tulane prediction, picks
Oklahoma has some major flaws and Tulane has the defensive scheme and offensive playmaking to expose them, at least for stretches. Tulane freshman quarterback Darian Mensah shows tremendous upside and should only learn from his mistakes against Kansas State. After ruining Kansas State’s day, the Green Wave will muck up Oklahoma’s and keep it close well into the fourth quarter. Pick: Tulane +14
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