Is Oklahoma ready to be back to being Oklahoma? After a disastrous end of last season, the Sooners get a tune-up before what, in a lot of ways, will be a season-defining game at Tennessee. Akron missed out on being bowl eligible with a loss to Kent State to close things out, and now they’re far better. Any production against OU in Norman, though, will be a positive.

Below we dive into the Oklahoma vs. Akron prediction and game preview. 

Oklahoma vs. Akron Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 5
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Network: FOX Networks

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Why You Need To Care

Oklahoma has its new offensive style, and it has the personnel in place to crank up the attack to a whole other level again. Can the O be sharp from the start, and how long is it going to take before the Air Raid timing is down? Akron’s offense isn’t going to be anything to worry about, so as long as the defense comes out sharp in the first quarter, this should be a scrimmage.

Akron has been close to turning a corner under Terry Bowden, but it hasn’t quite happened with too much inconsistency on both sides of the ball and without enough scoring pop. The Zips held tough last year against Penn State, and they stunned Pitt 21-10, but this is going to be a whole other level if OU turns the machine on.

Why Akron Will Win

Is the Oklahoma secondary going to be better? There are plenty of positives with the Sooners, but the secondary was a major problem in the pass happy Big 12. There’s talent returning, but just two starters are back and there should be chances to bomb away if the Zip veteran O line can hold up.

Why Oklahoma Will Win

Akron’s running game is going to go absolutely nowhere. It was non-existent at times last season, and even though most of the top backs return, the offense that averaged 124 yards per game is going to hit a brick wall with the Sooner defensive front. Akron can throw a bit, but it’s not a downfield efficient attack – moving the ball is going to be a problem.

Player Who Matters

Okay, Baker Mayfield, here you go. The former Texas Tech quarterback is in an Oklahoma system tailor-made for his style, and now he needs to take it and run. Named the starter over Trevor Knight, Mayfield isn’t going to run and he’s not going to be dynamic, but he can throw and throw some more. If this works, he’ll become a statistical superstar.

What’s Going To Happen?

Look out. Oklahoma needs a cathartic blowout win, and it’s about to get it. Akron isn’t a cupcake in any way, but it’s about to run into a buzzsaw.

Oklahoma vs. Akron Score Prediction

Without further ado, the Oklahoma vs. Akron prediction is …

Final Score: Oklahoma 52, Akron 13