Jackson Arnold and Auburn Tigers already got excellent news on Week 4 Oklahoma Sooners matchup before their South Alabama win was complete
Auburn Tigers should be in position to defeat Sooners thanks to crucial loss for Oklahoma
The Auburn Tigers will open the 2025 college football season 3-0 now that they’ve defeated South Alabama with ease. Jackson Arnold and Jeremiah Cobb dismantled South Alabama’s defense on the ground as Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton made impressive plays through the air.
The victory over South Alabama was certainly expected, so it’s no surprise that the offense took care of business. However, Auburn’s dominance wasn’t the best news Tigers fans got on Saturday. The Oklahoma Sooners, Auburn’s Week 4 opponent, suffered a loss on Saturday that should help the Tigers’ offense get off to a fast start.
R Mason Thomas ejected for targeting against Temple and will miss first half against Auburn
R Mason Thomas, the Oklahoma Sooners’ best pass rusher, was on pace for another impressive day in the blowout victory over Temple on Saturday, but then he was penalized for targeting. That led to him being ejected from the game. It also means that the Sooners will be without him for the entire first half against Auburn.
R Mason Thomas racked up nearly 40 pressures and nine sacks last year as the team’s biggest defensive difference-maker. He had already racked up several more pressures and a half sack this season before his ejection, proving his one dominant season was no fluke.
Arnold and the Tigers should be ecstatic knowing that they get to attack the Sooners’ defense without him for a whole half in Week 4.
The Tigers’ offensive line has already been destroying the competition this year, surrendering a pass rush pressure rate below the power conference average. Now, Arnold should (or at least could) have plenty of time to operate his offense in what will likely be the Tigers’ toughest game yet.
Hugh Freeze will need to make sure his offensive line still accounts for Marvin Jones Jr., Adepoju Adebawore, and Taylor Wein off the edge. Plus, Brent Venables loves to blitz his linebackers, too. Regardless, Auburn should be in a great position to defeat the Sooners if they take advantage of Thomas’ absence early.
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