Dave: Sooners have chance to build on last week’s win
As crazy as it sounds, Oklahoma is one play away from being tied for first place in the SEC football standings.
Had they just kicked a short gimme field goal against Kentucky, rather than going for an ill-advised trick play, they probably go on to win that game as Mateer would be protecting a lead at the end rather than desperately trying to score with less than two minutes left leading to a pick six.
One play and OU is tied with Georgia for first place. This to me tells us two things. The is no clear front runner in the SEC as
they are beating up on each other, and there is a razor thin line between winning and losing most games in this league.
As bad as the offense has been, the Sooners have been in, and had a chance to win, every game they played this year outside of Georgia.
Happy, but not satisfied
The Sooners won their fourth game on Saturday, and despite the fact the Sooners’ made offensive strides — QB John Mateer’s mid-night absolution leading to his best game this season — the ugly 25-13 road victory over Mississippi State left Coach Brent Venables somewhat unappeased.
“We’ll take it anyway we can get it …(but) I have to talk myself into being happy,” Venables said, coming off the field in Starkville.
That’s a sentiment probably shared by many OU fans, disgruntled by previous disappointing losses to Michigan, Georgia and Kentucky.
But it is a fact the Sooners improved on Saturday. They amassed 469 yards on offense. Mateer, who said he woke up one night this week and forgave himself for earlier miscues this season, was 22 for 29 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 37.
“I know who I am as a player and as a man, through struggle, that’s what you find. I’m not perfect, and I won’t be perfect. I’m moving forward, but I felt good out there, and I believed,” Mateer said postgame.