Oklahoma’s Quarterback Struggles and Upcoming Rivalry Game

After a tough 41-13 defeat to Georgia on September 26, Oklahoma’s head coach Brent Venables revealed that the coaching staff considered benching quarterback John Mateer during the game. This decision follows an inconsistent season for Oklahoma’s offense, which has struggled post a commanding 51-0 victory over UTEP at the start of the season.

Since that initial win, the Sooners have only managed to score 37 total points in their matches against Michigan, New Mexico, and Georgia. Their performance contrasts sharply with their No. 10 preseason ranking, as they’ve suffered defeats at the hands of Michigan and Georgia.

Looking ahead, Oklahoma aims to recover during the upcoming ‘Red River Rivalry’ against No. 1 Texas, scheduled for Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Despite Texas being the favorite, the history of the rivalry includes several unexpected wins by underdogs.

In a briefing about preparations for Texas, Venables affirmed Mateer as the starting quarterback. However, he highlighted that backups Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley received significant practice time last week. When asked if Newbauer or Bentley might play, Venables was undecided.

“His response sent a clear message to Mateer about the need for improved performance to avoid being benched as Oklahoma seeks an upset against Texas.”

Venables expressed confidence in the team’s quarterbacks. “We’ve got great belief in them, trust in them,” he said, as reported by ESPN. “Both Bowe and Whitt have put forth a body of work for evaluation. They are making steady progress, working hard, and performing the tasks we require from our quarterbacks collectively.”

In the initial four games, Mateer has recorded 883 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Previously, he had an impressive season at Washington State in 2024, with 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Last season, Mateer dealt with a hand injury, concluding with 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

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