Veteran quarterback Payton Thorne will start for Auburn when No. 21 Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday.

Thorne, the former Michigan State transfer, started 13 games for the Tigers last fall. He returned as the program’s starter in 2024 before being replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown in Week 3. In Thorne, Auburn will have an experienced starter under center in Week 5 against a Sooners defense that leads the nation in turnovers (12) and ranks 28th in total defense this fall.

Auburn initially turned to Brown after Thorne threw a career-best four interceptions in a 21-14 home loss to Cal on Sept. 7. Brown led the Tigers past New Mexico in his first career start in Week 3, but struggled last Saturday against Arkansas, completing 7 of 13 passes for 72 yards with three interceptions. After Auburn went scoreless before halftime, Thorne took over at quarterback in the second half of the 24-14 home loss and finished the game 13-for-23 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Both quarterbacks have had strong weeks of practice before visiting Oklahoma this weekend, but Auburn will go with Thorne on Saturday, building on his experience and the momentum he built in his relief work against Arkansas as the Tigers get their first SEC win aim for in 2024.

Auburn hosts the Sooners in Oklahoma’s first SEC road game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.