Petrino in spotlight as Missouri State visits No. 5 Oklahoma

Posted September 10, 2020 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) runs onto the field before an NCAA college football game against South Dakota Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Norman, Okla. Rattler, a redshirt freshman, has been named Oklahoma's starting quarterback. Missouri State plays at No. 5 Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) The Associated Press

Missouri State at No. 5 Oklahoma, Saturday at 7 p.m. ET (Pay-per-view).

Line: No Line.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Oklahoma wants to establish freshman Spencer Rattler at quarterback. He was the consensus No. 1 quarterback nationally in the 2019 recruiting class and is the Big 12's Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Bobby Petrino will open his first season as Missouri State's coach with nothing to lose against the Sooners.

KEY MATCHUP

Oklahoma's offensive line vs. Missouri State's defensive line. Oklahoma's offensive line, led by preseason first-team All-American Creed Humphrey, should be among the nation's best. Right tackle Adrian Ealy is a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Freshman Anton Harrison will start at left tackle for the Sooners. Missouri State defensive tackle Eric Johnson is a three-year letterman who has played in 33 consecutive games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Oklahoma: RB T.J. Pledger. Injuries have kept the junior off the field at times during his career, but he is the No. 1 back heading into this season, and coach Lincoln Riley has raved about his consistency in practice. With an experienced line in front of him and a new quarterback, he could post some big numbers.

Missouri State: QB Jaden Johnson. He will be Missouri State's school's first freshman to start at quarterback since 2011. Johnson redshirted at Southern Mississippi last season. He was rated the No. 20 pro-style quarterback in the nation by 247sports.com his senior year of high school in Memphis, Tenn. He was rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.

FACTS & FIGURES

Petrino has never coached against Oklahoma. He's 4-3 in his career against the Big 12. ... Missouri State's Jordan Murray has a reception in 21 consecutive games. ... Riley turned 37 on Sept. 5. He's the fifth-youngest coach in the FBS. ... Oklahoma has beaten its last five FCS opponents by a combined score of 309-29. ... Oklahoma kicker Gabe Brkic made all 69 of his combined extra points and field goals last season.

FILE - Bobby Petrino steps to the podium as he is introduced as the new football at Missouri State during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Springfield, Mo. The controversial coach will open his first season guiding Missouri State, a Football Championship Subdivision program, on Saturday night, Sept. 12, 2020, at No. 5 Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, FIle) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) carries in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota, in Norman, Okla. The coronavirus pandemic has shut down much of Division I football, but with three of the Power Five leagues still playing, there are still some big games to look forward to. Oklahoma takes on Texas on Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) The Associated Press

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