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Mike: Odds against the Sooners make for an opportunity

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The last time Oklahoma scored a touchdown in the Red River Rivalry was in 2023, when QB Dylan Gabriel’s pass found WR Nick Anderson alone in the back of the endzone in the last minute of the game. The Sooners won 34-30 on their way to a 10-win season.

Oklahoma hasn’t won this game since.

Breaking the drought doesn’t look likely, at least if you pay attention to how the Sooners have stubbed their toes this season with John Mateer’s critical turnovers and an offensive line that is riddled with injuries and inconsistent play.

Vegas makes Texas a 9 1/2 point favorite, although you wonder if the reason the oddsmakers put it that close is because we all know the usual norms of football don’t apply to this game.

There is too much emotion. And the team that best handles that, and manages to not turn the ball over, tends to win it, regardless of predictions or on-paper strengths.

But maybe this game really isn’t different from the norms of football. Bud Wilkinson always said that the key to victory in football rests with three factors: turnovers, field position and the kicking game.

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Mike: It does not Mateer any more

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Sure, play calling has been puzzling at times. And, yes, there are times it looks like the offensive line has never seen a football game.

But, John Mateer’s play at quarterback is what will get offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle fired this year. Not that other stuff.

The Oklahoma vs. Georgia football game, which should be re-labeled the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma game (and Oklahoma beat itself 41-13), was the football gods’ way of telling everyone that, no Mateer what you do, this offense doesn’t have the talent at the most important position in the game.

I hate to say that. No one questions Mateer’s heart. His drive. His will.

But his lack of concentration and inability to protect the ball — the number one priority of any ball carrier — and his “what-the-hell” throw-the-ball-up interceptions — equal a quarterback insufficient to compete at this level.

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Tommy: Longing for the days of reliability

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I recently passed the Catlett Music Center on the OU campus in Norman, and it stirred memories of a music appreciation class I took there nearly 50 years ago.

I wasn’t remembering the music. It was a classmate. Lyndle Byford.

We were both from small Oklahoma communities. We were the same age. Lyndle was a wide guy who played on the OU football team’s offensive line.

We sat close together in a cluster of desks assembled in a big room made for concerts or whatever. The building was way across campus for me. I often arrived late — or not at all.

But officially, I had nearly perfect attendance. The reason? Lyndle.

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