Maine Black Bears vs. Oklahoma Sooners Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024

Preview and Prediction

Brent Venables, the coach of Oklahoma, was not questioned much about his team's upcoming game against FCS opponent Maine during his press conference on Tuesday.

Venables mentioned Maine, stating that they have 17 graduates, which translates to a lot of experience. However, he quickly shifted the focus back to Oklahoma and their preparations for the game.

The Sooners, who are currently on a three-game losing streak, are in desperate need of a win as they face the Black Bears in Norman, Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon.

Following their game against Maine, Oklahoma will face three ranked SEC teams in their final regular season games: Missouri, Alabama, and LSU.

Offensively, the Sooners have struggled this season, averaging only 116.5 rushing yards per game and 292.3 total yards per game. These numbers place them near the bottom of the FBS rankings in both categories.

In addition, the Sooners have given up 39 sacks this season, which is tied for the second-most in program history. They are dangerously close to breaking the record of 41 sacks set in 2015.

Venables expressed the need for improvement from the offensive line, stating that they need to be more aware of the snap count and get off the line quicker.

The offensive line for Oklahoma may look different in their game against Maine. Jacob Sexton, who has started every game this season at either left tackle or left guard, will be out due to an ankle injury sustained in last week's loss to Ole Miss. Starting tackle Jake Taylor may also be out for the second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury.

Venables mentioned the possibility of freshman Isaiah Autry-Dent breaking into the lineup against Maine.

Maine is looking for their fifth win against an FBS opponent, with their last win coming against UMass in 2021. Under head coach Jordan Stevens, the Black Bears have shown improvement after two consecutive 2-9 seasons.

Stevens stated that their mindset is to compete and they are focused on having a great week of practice before facing Oklahoma.

In their last game against Rhode Island, Carter Peevy threw for 279 yards and a touchdown, while Montigo Moss had nine catches for 80 yards.

PREDICTION

Maine Black Bears

Oklahoma Sooners

Maine Black Bears vs. Oklahoma Sooners Recap NOV 2TH 2024

Jovantae Barnes ran for a career-high 203 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries to help lift Oklahoma to a 59-14 win over Maine on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sooners (5-4).

Jackson Arnold threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns, exiting late in the third quarter as the Sooners had the game well in hand.

Oklahoma had 665 yards of total offense, nearly 300 more than they'd had in any game this season, including 381 rushing. It was the Sooners' biggest offensive output since late in the 2022 season.

Maine (4-5), an FCS program, had just 251 yards, 107 on the ground.

By halftime, the Sooners had gained 402 yards, their highest output in any full game this season.

Much of that was thanks to Barnes, who had carries of 74 and 29 yards in the first half.

Maine struck first, eating up nearly five minutes with a nine-play, 68-yard drive after forcing a punt on the first drive.

Black Bears quarterback Carter Peevy broke off a 40-yard gain, setting up a 3-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Heisey on the next play.

It didn't take long for Barnes and the Sooners to answer.

Barnes broke off a 74-yard run -- the Sooners' longest rushing play since 2021 -- on the next play from scrimmage, setting up his 2-yard touchdown run two plays later.

Oklahoma's defense clamped down after the Black Bears had success in their opening drive. Maine didn't have another drive of more than 24 yards until the fourth quarter and punted on seven of its next eight full drives.

The Sooners took the lead early in the second quarter, on Taylor Tatum's 1-yard score.

OU scored 28 points in the second quarter to blow the game open, including on J.J. Hester's 90-yard reception from Arnold. Hester finished with four receptions for 112 yards.

Barnes then added an 8-yard touchdown run just before halftime and scored on a 19-yard run early in the third.

The last Oklahoma rusher to gain 200 yards was Eric Gray in 2022.

Peevy finished 13 of 24 for 123 yards and a touchdown for the Black Bears, more than half of that yardage output to Joe Gillette, who finished with three catches for 64 yards.