Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs

• Eli Lederman, ESPN Staff WriterSep 27, 2024, 04:35 PM ET Close Eli Lederman covers college football and recruiting for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN in 2024 after covering the University of Oklahoma for Sellout Crowd and the Tulsa World.Veteran quarterback

Payton Thorne will start for Auburn when No. 21 Oklahoma check outs Jordan-Hare Arena on Saturday afternoon, sources informed ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday.Thorne, the former Michigan State transfer, began 13 games

for the Tigers last fall. He returned as the program’s starter in 2024 before he was replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown in Week 3. In Thorne, Auburn will have a knowledgeable starter under center in Week 5 versus a Sooners defense that leads the country in turnovers(12)and ranks 28th in overall defense this fall.Editor’s Picks Auburn at first turned to Brown after Thorne tossed a career-high 4 interceptions in a 21-14 home defeat to

Cal on Sept. 7. Brown led the Tigers past New Mexico in his very first career start in Week 3, but resisted Arkansas last Saturday, finishing 7 of 13 passes for 72 backyards with 3 interceptions. After Auburn went scoreless before halftime, Thorne took over at quarterback in the second half of the 24-14 home loss, completing 13-for-23 for 213 lawns with two touchdowns and one interception.Both quarterbacks turned in strong weeks of practice ahead of this weekend’s visit from Oklahoma, but Auburn will opt for Thorne on Saturday, banking on his experience and the momentum he integrated in his relief work versus Arkansas as the Tigers chase their first SEC win of 2024. Auburn hosts the Sooners at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC in Oklahoma’s first SEC road game.