Blatant Homerism: Sooners have me talking to myself
The Oklahoma Sooners are opening SEC play this week against arguably the best team in college football, but no one reading this seems interested in talking about the Georgia Bulldogs.
That probably has something to do with the sobering reality that hopes of OU taking steps forward this season are flickering. Hence the two-touchdown spread for the upcoming game in Athens. The Sooners are in the middle of a third consecutive year playing abominably on offense, and those kinds of teams typically get thrashed by the likes of UGA.
So let’s talk to myself about what I think the problems are with OU’s current iteration.
What is the problem with OU’s offense?
Brent Venables is correct when he says quarterback John Mateer is missing “layups.” We can have a conversation about the quality of the offensive personnel as a whole or the reliability of the offensive line, but none of that matters if it’s a coin flip as to whether or not the QB can make simple throws and proper reads. Mateer isn’t executing the basic stuff well enough, and he’s committing unforced errors.
Mistakes are compounding on top of mistakes. At least, that is the most immediate issue.
That sounds like something a change at QB could fix.
Stop. If OU had a more effective QB, he would already be playing. Move on.
OK, OK. What about the other position groups?
Aside from quarterback, the offensive line clearly stood out as a problem against New Mexico. (The unit wasn’t great versus Michigan, but it was a mess versus the Lobos.) If you’re looking for a reason to be optimistic, you could make a case that missing the team’s top OL really set the group back. Re-inserting Michael Fasusi into the lineup at left tackle would allow Ryan Fodje to move back to guard or right tackle, where offseason acquisition E’Marion Harris is struggling. In other words, Fasusi’s return potentially improves two positions.
But that feels like a flimsy hope, and it’s not clear when Fasusi will be available again – if at all. OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh has to figure this out, and it seems more than fair to question if he is up to the task.
Really? Bedenbaugh has a reputation as one of the best developers of offensive linemen in college football.
Don’t know what to tell you. The output has tailed off dramatically in the last couple years. Maybe time just comes for us all.
To be fair, complaints from talent evaluators about the poor quality of offensive line play in general seem to have grown in the last few years. I’ve heard a variety of theories about why OL development is on the decline, including that RPO-heavy offensive schemes are having a pronounced impact on the craft. It’s possible we’re overstating the drop in Bedenbaugh’s performance when you compare OU’s OL with all the others out there.
None of that relieves Bedenbaugh of the responsibility to get the OL fixed ASAP, though. That’s his job.
Receivers? Running backs?
I’m getting tired and I’m betting you have some deeper questions, so let’s just say they could be better. The skill positions fall much lower on the list of problems.
Earlier, you said Mateer’s erraticism is the “most immediate” issue with the offense. Does that mean there’s a “less immediate” problem?
It’s more of a big picture thing: OU’s approach to its offense this season feels misaligned. The Sooners have an Air Raid specialist in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle implementing more of a pro-style scheme. That means Arbuckle is running an offense outside of his comfort zone for the first time in his career, and at 31 years old, he’s only in his fourth season as a coordinator.
It makes sense that the transition to a new O wouldn’t be smooth.
Why did OU switch offenses?
The OU brain trust, which I assume to include Venables and general manager Jim Nagy, decided in the offseason that the program needed to make the change. Can you blame them? OU’s offense was anemic last year.
Presumably, the front office believes a pro-style offensive scheme will attract better talent on that side of the ball, too.
Sure, but why did this task fall on Arbuckle?
Purely speculating, but Arbuckle’s contract already covered the 2026 season. The Sooners also won a lot of games in 2025 with the Wazzu combo of Arbuckle and Mateer pulling the strings on offense – even if OU didn’t win many games because of them. From an organizational standpoint, I’d contend the case to move on from Arbuckle would have been thin. (“So what?” would be a fair response to this point.)
You also have to assume Nagy and Venables legitimately want Arbuckle to succeed. He strikes me as a very sharp offensive mind. I don’t put any of OU’s issues so far on his ability to draw up good looks for the O. It’s entirely possible Venables and Nagy believed Arbuckle was up to the challenge, especially with a veteran coach like Kevin Wilson consulting on the project.
So why should I believe this will get better this season?
[PAUSE.]
Maybe Fasusi will heal up and solidify the offensive line.
Maybe Arbuckle has passed the steepest part of the learning curve.
Maybe some turnovers will go OU’s way.
[EXHALES.]
I wish I had a good answer for you.
Other games on my radar
Kind of a loaded slate this week – bangers all day on Saturday.
Texas at Tennessee
Texas has the best win of the season so far this year, but it doesn’t feel like the Longhorns are playing well so far. It could come down to a matter of working out the kinks.
Ole Miss at Florida
The flattest of flat spots for the Rebels and electric quarterback Trinidad Chambliss after a cathartic win over LSU. The Gators are going off as the deserved favorites here.
Tulsa at Arkansas
The Golden Hurricane are eyeing yet another momentum-building upset after taking down Oklahoma State in game one. TU has a legit shot here, because the Hogs are rank.
Oregon at USC
The Ducks this season aren’t what they have been. Now or never for Lincoln Riley and the Trojans.
Missouri at Mississippi State
One of these teams is going home with its first loss this year. Feels surprising to be saying that about the Bulldogs, but MSU QB Kamario Taylor is rolling.