Norman, Oklahoma USA

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Dave has 112 articles published.

Mateer is who he is — Sooners must adapt

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After going 10-3 and hosting a home playoff game last season, hopes were high for 2026. The Sooners achieved that playoff birth despite an anemic offense that most came to believe to be caused by the injury to John Mateer’s thumb during the Auburn
game.

This year was supposed to be different. We heard stories of a fully healthy Mateer bulking up over the summer. Word out of the Manning Passing Academy was that his arm talent, mechanics and physical transformation had led to “high velocity, tight
spirals and strong accuracy on deep and intermediate routes”.

Expectations only soared higher. But then hard reality hit the Sooners last Saturday in Ann Arbor. It may be that Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer just aren’t as advertised. After the shellacking Oklahoma put on one of the worst teams in college football, they laid an egg in their first real test of the season.

Mateer went 17 for 33 with 189 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception that turned into 7 points for Michigan, the final difference in the game.

Not exactly Heisman numbers. He still has problems reading the defense and locking onto one receiver. He also makes too many throws into tight windows that either get intercepted or result in an incompletion. Not that the offensive performance was all his
fault.

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Dave: Low-scoring game in the Big House?

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Oklahoma mostly did what it was supposed to do against an outmanned UTEP team last Friday night. With a final score of 51-0, there’s not much to be unhappy about.

I would have liked to see them rush the ball more effectively. The Sooners got good push with 3 and 4 yard gains. But they were never able to pop that big run. It was great to see some tight end game, especially Rocky Beers and his hurdle touchdown.

I’m curious as to the absence of an up-tempo offense. Oklahoma seems to be going with a more under-center style this year. Which I get as an under-center power run offense would, I believe, complement our dominate defense.

However, I assume the game plan was plain as plain could be and we should expect to see much more from both sides of the ball this Saturday in Ann Arbor.

Anyone have the time? Jeez, I crack myself up… Seriously though, what a joke.

Whether it was done intentionally (it probably was) or not, what a slap in the face to the game and those kids at Western
Michigan. They won that game by out playing Michigan on both sides of the ball. And it was stolen from them.

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Dave: Offense the key question for ’26 Sooners

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The 2025 Oklahoma Football season ended in disappointment for Sooner fans to the tune of a 34-24 first round playoff loss to Alabama in Norman last December. 

What made it sting more was the 17-0 lead Oklahoma built to start the game.  However, looking back on the season as a whole, you would have to say it was a very successful campaign and shows the program Brent Venables is building moving in the right direction. 

A home college football playoff game is a big accomplishment.  And even though we have a monster of a schedule to contend with in 2026, there is reason to believe a bigger jump could be expected this year. 

The defense will continue to be the hallmark of Oklahoma football.  With David Stone and Taylor Wien manning the line and the Bowen brothers along with Kip Lewis patrolling the second level, this unit could be even better than before. 

And don’t forget returning Lou Groza award winner Tate Sandel.  Reports from pre-season practices are saying he is hitting from over 60 yards out.  A reliable place kicker is a huge weapon.

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