Oklahoma Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Kansas State in Week 4

3. Spencer Rattler may underachieve

Oklahoma’s last three quarterbacks consisted of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. All three quarterbacks were transfers with prior experience and exploded onto the scene for Oklahoma.

Rattler is the first quarterback under Lincoln Riley to not be a transfer and come in with little experience on the field. There’s one thing to play Missouri State, but playing in the Big 12 is another level of play he’s not as accustomed to yet.

Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma lost to Kansas State just last season 48-41. It wasn’t on Hurts as he literally carried the team on his back as he was the leading rusher and passer for the team.

Things must go differently for Rattler this season as he’s not as much of a runner as Hurts was last season. The running game for Oklahoma has to perform well and support Rattler in his first conference game start.

Rattler could get off to a slow start without an established running game since he is a redshirt freshman. Many people want to claim him to be a Heisman candidate after one game, but this is his first true challenge of the season.

It would be wrong to think that Rattler will have a bad game. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he throws for over 300 yards and multiple scores. Does it mean his performance will reach the expectations of Oklahoma fans? They might want to wait and see what they have in the young quarterback before crowning him the Heisman winner.