Will OU football carry momentum into Kentucky game? Sooners-Wildcats predictions

NORMAN — Oklahoma is looking to carry momentum from its emotional Red River Rivalry win into its game against Kentucky on Saturday. The Sooners host the Wildcats for their SEC home opener at 6:30 p.m. at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Both programs are coming off top 10 wins as OU knocked off then-No. 1 Texas and Kentucky defeated then-No. 10 LSU. Since the start of the 1999 season, the Sooners are 25-2 in games immediately following their annual contest against the Longhorns . The Wildcats' No. 15 ranking this week is their highest since the 2022 season, when they climbed to as high as No. 7 after a 4-0 start. Here are our predictions for the game: More: OU football injury news: OL Michael Fasusi, DB Eli Bowen questionable vs Kentucky OU vs Kentucky predictions Colton Sulley, OU beat writer OU 23, Kentucky 20 START OF RUN Backed by momentum following their defeat of Texas, the Sooners keep things rolling with a top-15 win in their SEC home opener. The win begins a stretch that could rival OU's run to the CFP last season. Jenni Carlson, columnist OU 23, Kentucky 14 BLUE BY U A nine-point victory for these Sooners counts as a blowout as the defense is magnificent again. John Mateer and the offense are steady and turnover-free again, too. Joe Mussatto, columnist  OU 20, Kentucky 16 BY A WHISKER OU's defense will be the best unit on the field. The crowd should be reenergized after the upset of Texas. Since 1999, the Sooners are 25-2 in games immediately following OU-Texas.  Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor OU 21, Kentucky 13 HOLLER BACK The Sooners keep the momentum rolling, finding just enough offense to back yet another dynamic defensive performance. The Wildcats are hot but the Sooners' win over Texas is the start of a big run. Jeff Patterson, sports editor Kentucky 21, OU 20 WILL THE THRILL Picking against the Sooners coming off an emotional Red River win feels like a fool's errand. However, the Wildcats are on a four-game winning streak since falling apart late against Alabama . If Will Stein can become the first UK coach since Bear Bryant in the 1951 Sugar Bowl to beat OU, then the playoff path gets real interesting. Colton Sulley covers the  Oklahoma Sooners  for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .