The Auburn Tigers are set to face the No. 21 Oklahoma Sooners in Week 5 of SEC action, and despite their lower ranking and worse record, Auburn is slightly favored by 1 point on major sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings. So why are the Tigers seen as the favorites?
One major reason is the injury troubles plaguing Oklahoma. The Sooners will be without five wide receivers, including junior Deion Burks, who has been a key player with an average of 6.5 receptions and over 50 yards per game this season.
In addition to injuries, Oklahoma’s offense has been struggling. They’ve made the decision to start freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. after a rough offensive performance last game, where they only managed 222 total yards in a loss to Tennessee. This has led to some doubt among bettors, as noted by James Parks from College Football HQ, who said, “Auburn emerging as the favorite during the week reflects the trepidation that many bettors have about the Sooners’ offense.”
Another factor in Auburn’s favor is the home-field advantage at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Playing on the road can be tough for any team, and the Sooners may face extra challenges in this unfamiliar SEC territory. However, Oklahoma’s strong defense could help them counter Auburn’s efforts.
Historically, Oklahoma has a perfect record against Auburn, but the teams have only met twice, both times in bowl games. The Sooners won the 2017 Sugar Bowl with a score of 35-19 and also triumphed in the 1972 Sugar Bowl with a 40-22 win. This will be the first regular-season meeting between the two teams, making it a significant moment for both programs as Auburn looks to bounce back from their Week 4 loss to Arkansas, while Oklahoma aims for a crucial win.