Overview
- Head coach Brent Venables publicly affirmed John Mateer as the starter but said the staff considered pulling him after the 41-13 loss to Georgia and that Mateer is on a short leash.
- During the bye week the Sooners gave significant reps to backups Whitt Newbauer and true freshman Bowe Bentley to prepare them as possible in-game replacements.
- Mateer has struggled recently, committing six turnovers over three games and helping produce an offense that is averaging about 11.5 points per game against Power Four opponents.
- The upcoming Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl is the immediate test that could force a personnel change if Mateer turns the ball over or the offense stalls early.
- Oklahoma’s issues go beyond one player: the program has ranked near the bottom nationally in yards per play over recent seasons and coordinator turnover has limited ready fixes, a fact that raises stakes for any decision and could affect team morale if a change is made.