Weekend Open Post | October 9th – 11th
Posted on: October 9, 2026
Sunday Brunch | Red River Shootout Up Next
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 4, 2026
There is no more time to hide behind the schedule.
Oklahoma has one week to figure out what the hell it is doing on offense before walking into the Cotton Bowl against No. 1 Texas.
And right now, the Sooners have far more questions than answers.
The biggest one is sitting behind center.
John Mateer looks like a quarterback who has lost his confidence, and that is a massive problem for an offense that was built around him. He is playing hesitant, missing throws and struggling to make the kind of decisions Oklahoma needs from its QB1.
Even the most basic decisions are struggles and more often incorrect than correct for Mateer right now.
And yet the staff continues to ride with him.
That may ultimately prove to be the right decision. But at some point, Oklahoma has to find out if there is another option capable of giving this offense a spark. Whitt Newbauer is sitting there. Bowe Bentley is sitting there. So far, the staff hasn’t been willing to find out what either can do when the lights are on.
That is becoming harder and harder to ignore.
Because this isn’t UTEP.
This isn’t New Mexico.
This is Texas.
The No. 1 team in the conference. The arch rival. The team Oklahoma will have to beat if it wants to change the trajectory of a season that is quickly heading in the wrong direction.
And here’s another uncomfortable reality: Oklahoma has failed to score a touchdown in three of its last four games against Texas.
Three.
Nobody in Norman is going to stand for that happening again.
Not in the Cotton Bowl. Not against Texas. Not with everything this rivalry means.
The offense doesn’t need to become an unstoppable machine in seven days.
But it better become something.
Commit to the run. Get the quarterback playing fast. Create some easy completions. Get the playmakers involved. Give this offense an identity.
Because another lifeless performance against Texas isn’t going to be accepted. If that happens, this goes from a potential search for an offensive coordinator at the end of the year to a potential search for a head coach at the end of the year.
Oklahoma has spent the first month of this season looking for answers.
This week, it better start finding some.
The Cotton Bowl is waiting.
And Texas is coming.
Sunday Afternoon Thoughts After The Bye Week
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 4, 2026
So, yesterday, as the Sooners had a bye week, we all got to watch the rest of the college football world play without the feeling of impending doom ahead of or coming out of the OU game on the day.
One thing that was a topic was how well a bunch of Sooners transfers were playing across the country.
From Sammy Omosigho out west, Lewis Carter out east, to Gavin Freem in Texas, to Jake Taylor in Iowa, and a bunch of other spots, former Sooners were showing up and playing well.
As I noted last night, I shared a text exchange with a source about this topic. I started the conversation half-joking about Gavin Freeman and the year he is having, but we touched on everyone from Jake Taylor to Zion Ragins and all in between.
Source ended our conversation by typing:
“These guys don’t suck. They were coached up good…look at them. Ya ever think the scheme and lack of direction on that side of the ball suck and thats why those dudes sucked here? These coaches don’t suck. Emmett don’t suck. Bill don’t suck. DeMarco don’t suck. Think about it. What has sucked? The scheme and the dudes runnin that shit. It’s all about the defense, them O boys suffer.”
I know how I view former Sooners excelling at other places, and I know what I believe it says about their time in Norman.
I think it is absolutely a credit to OU in regard to good evaluations and good development. Sammy Omosigho didn’t go to UCLA and suddenly learn how to be a better linebacker; he learned and developed in Norman. Zion Ragins didn’t suddenly go to Mississippi State and blossom into a key guy, he learned how to be that guy in Norman and Mississippi State is benefiting. Same with Gavin Freeman, Jake Taylor, Josh Bates, Devon Jordan, Hollywood Smothers, etc. Those guys all got their foundations at OU. For one reason or another, it just wasn’t gonna work out for them at OU.
I also think it is an indictment on the OU offense to a degree…just appears there is a systemic failure on that side of the ball.
How do you view it, though? Do you feel like the new place made them better players? Or do you feel it is more about good players finding more suitable roles? Do you feel like OU mismanaged using these guys (I do, to a large degree) or do you just think that they had better guys in front of them in Norman?
My biggest question is: What kind of picture does their success elsewhere paint about the program in Norman right now? Any big picture views you want to share?
Again, there is no right or wrong here…this is about your take and your opinion on what it says about the players, and about OU.
5 Quick Keys For OU Offensively Against Texas
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 5, 2026
1. Win early downs.
Texas is allowing just 2.8 yards per rush and opponents are converting only 34.5% of third downs. OU can’t constantly live in 3rd-and-long. Stay ahead of the chains.
2. Make Texas defend horizontally.
Don’t repeatedly challenge the Longhorns between the tackles. Use motion, counters, perimeter runs and quick passes to force Texas’ defense to move.
3. Get Mateer in rhythm.
Texas is allowing just 5.9 yards per pass attempt. Quick game, play-action and defined throws need to get Mateer comfortable before OU starts hunting bigger plays.
4. Find explosives.
Texas ranks No. 1 nationally in defensive efficiency, but only 27th in defensive explosiveness. OU probably isn’t going to grind out long drives all day. It needs to hit a handful of chunk plays.
5. For the love of everything, score a touchdown.
OU has failed to score a touchdown in three of the last four games against Texas. That streak simply cannot continue.
Not listed but most important…turnovers. It goes without saying that the Sooners need to protect the ball and value every offensive possession. Defensively, they need to create and capitalize on turnover opportunities, because there will be some.
Why Else a QB Change Could Help
– Super K – Posted on: October 6, 2026
We obviously don’t know what the Sooners are going to get out of Mateer this upcoming weekend and beyond.
I’m leaning towards Mateer perhaps being more ball secure but as a result not particularly productive. So, I’m leaning towards the real possibility of the Sooners seeing a back up take the field at some point soon.
But I want to make a point about why that may benefit the Sooner offense beyond the actual change at the trigger man.
And it’s very simple. I believe Mateer is a crutch for Arbuckle. He has, in my estimation, an unwarranted faith in Mateer’s legs so he’s running the kind of offense I used to be critical of when Tom Herman was at Texas.
Have Sam Ehlinger either run or drop back and then run – as in, go make a play, young man.
You can see it, at the very least in the absolute refusal to give any running back meaningful carries and the absolute refusal to attempt to tenderize the opposing defensive line which is de facto and absolute refusal to allow your offensive line to get any sort of a rush game rhythm going.
Look at some comparisons…
In the Texas vs Tennessee game, they rushed for 1.7 and 1.6 yards per carry, respectively.
In that game, Raleek Brown (Texas RB) got 17 touches.
In the Missouri vs. Florida game, they rushed for 6.1 and 1.7 yards per carry, respectively.
In that game, Jamal Roberts (Missouri RB) got 24 touches.
Even in a losing effort last week, Lebby had two backs with more touches (10 each) than Kamario Taylor, who is a better runner than Mateer.
In the Mississippi State vs. Missouri game both teams had a back get around 25 touches a piece.
The only back getting any meaningful touches for the Sooners is Avant and he isn’t even cracking ten touches.
So, I think getting a back up quarterback in there will force Arbuckle and co to stop trying to make fetch happen; that is to say to run an actual offense instead of hero ball offense.
It’ll force them to limit what the quarterback sees. It’ll force them to take some shots downfield to keep the pressure off the QB. It’ll force them to keep going to the tight ends.
In short, it’ll force them to run a more traditional, planned and patient offense.
And my guess, it will ultimately lead to a better outcome.
Know Your Opponent | Texas – 2026
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 7, 2026
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian — 6th year
Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Flood — 6th year at Texas
Defensive Coordinator: Will Muschamp — 1st year back at Texas
Texas enters the Red River Shootout 4-0 and ranked No. 1, with wins over Texas State, No. 1 Ohio State, UTSA and No. 14 Tennessee. The Longhorns have been led by a nasty defense allowing just 13.3 points per game, while Arch Manning and the offense have been good enough, averaging 33.3 points per game. Texas has already survived two ranked opponents, including a comeback win over Ohio State and a gritty road win at Tennessee. Now the Longhorns face Oklahoma with their perfect record and No. 1 ranking on the line in the Cotton Bowl.
On offense…
Texas’ offense under Steve Sarkisian remains a multiple, pro-style spread attack built around a physical run game, play-action and an aggressive vertical passing game. Sarkisian uses multiple personnel groupings, motion and formations to create favorable matchups, while giving Arch Manning defined reads and opportunities to attack downfield.
QB #16 Arch Manning – Manning has completed 73 of 115 passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns through four games, with three interceptions. He opened the season with 305 yards and four TDs against Texas State and threw for 201 yards at Tennessee.
RB #2 Hollywood Smothers – The NC State transfer and former Sooner has been one of Texas’ most explosive backs when healthy. He has 34 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns through his first three appearances, including 74 yards and two TDs against Ohio State. He missed the Tennessee game with an ankle issue but is expected back for OU.
WR-X #8 Cam Coleman – The Auburn transfer leads Texas with 12 catches for 208 yards and four touchdowns. He has already produced two multi-touchdown games, although his biggest numbers have come against Texas State and UTSA.
WR-Z #1 Ryan Wingo – Wingo has been Manning’s most productive receiver by yardage, with 16 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown through four games. He has started all four and remains one of the biggest explosive-play threats in the Texas offense.
WR-Slot #3 Emmett Mosley V – Mosley has 12 catches for 175 yards through four games and has started twice. His biggest impact came against Ohio State, when he caught five passes for 67 yards and converted a critical fourth-and-six late in the comeback victory.
TE #83 Spencer Shannon – The 6-foot-7 veteran has appeared in all four games and has two starts. Shannon has three catches for 24 yards and is primarily valuable as a blocker in Texas’ multiple-tight-end packages.
LT #74 Trevor Goosby – Goosby is the veteran anchor of the offensive line and a preseason First-Team All-SEC selection. He started all 13 games at left tackle in 2025 and remains the starter at the blindside tackle position in 2026.
LG #56 Dylan Sikorski – Sikorski has taken over at left guard and has been part of the same starting five throughout the season. Texas has been relatively effective moving the football despite some inconsistency up front, averaging 378.5 yards per game.
C #62 Connor Robertson – Robertson is the veteran in the middle of the Texas line and has started all four games. He has been part of an offensive front that has allowed Manning to throw for 862 yards while helping Texas average more than 147 rushing yards per game.
RG #73 Brandon Baker – Baker is a returning starter who moved from right tackle to guard this season. He started all 13 games at right tackle in 2025 and was named to the preseason All-SEC Third Team.
RT #71 Melvin Siani – The Wake Forest transfer has stepped into the starting right tackle role. At 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, Siani gives Texas another massive presence up front and has started all four games.
The Big Picture for OU…
***Limit the explosive passing game: Arch Manning has plenty of weapons, with Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman and Emmett Mosley giving Texas three legitimate threats. OU cannot afford busted coverages or easy explosives.
***Keep Hollywood Smothers contained: Smothers brings big-play ability to the backfield, and Texas wants to stay balanced enough to prevent OU from teeing off on Manning. Win first down and force Texas into obvious passing situations.
***Make Arch Manning beat you: Manning has been efficient, but OU needs to disguise coverages, pressure him without constantly blitzing and force him to make tough throws. The goal should be to make Texas’ offense earn everything rather than giving Manning easy rhythm completions.
On defense…
Texas’ 2026 defense under Will Muschamp is an aggressive, multiple-front scheme built around tight, physical coverage and pressure. Muschamp wants the Longhorns playing “in-your-face” football, with more man coverage, simulated pressures, blitzes and defensive linemen moving around before the snap. The centerpiece is Colin Simmons, whom Muschamp is moving around as a hybrid JACK/edge linebacker rather than leaving him in one spot. The idea is to make it difficult for offenses to identify where the pressure is coming from while creating one-on-one opportunities for Simmons and the rest of the front.
DE #19 Zina Umeozulu – The 6-foot-5 junior has become a full-time contributor on the edge and made his first career start against UTSA. Through four games, he has 13 tackles, including 2.0 TFLs, plus a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
NT #88 Maraad Watson – The massive Syracuse transfer provides the size Texas wants inside. Watson has started all four games and has seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a TFL through the first four games. He forced the fumble on his sack against Texas State.
DT #93 Hero Kanu – The fifth-year veteran is the anchor of the interior and has started all four games. Kanu has 10 tackles, three TFLs, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries, including a 1.5-TFL performance against Texas State.
JACK #1 Colin Simmons – This is the guy Oklahoma absolutely has to account for. Simmons has been dominant, recording 5.5 sacks against Tennessee alone and setting career highs with nine tackles and 5.5 sacks in that game. He has started all four games and already has a forced fumble and fumble recovery this season.
WLB #3 Rasheem Biles – The Pitt transfer has immediately become one of Texas’ most productive defenders. Biles has 30 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble through four games, including a team-high 13 tackles against Tennessee. He also had an interception and forced fumble in the opener against Texas State.
MLB #28 Justin Cryer – The Florida State transfer has been a tackling machine in the middle. Cryer has 23 tackles through four games, including a career-high nine against Ohio State and another nine at Tennessee, along with a TFL, pass breakup and two quarterback hurries against the Buckeyes.
STAR #29 Graceson Littleton – Littleton has been a playmaker in the nickel role. He has 14 tackles, an interception, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery, with that recovery coming against Texas State and returned 59 yards for a touchdown. He also picked off Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
LCB #8 Kade Phillips – Phillips has started all four games and has been one of the steadier corners in the Texas secondary. He has 19 tackles, including a TFL, and has recorded a pass breakup.
SS #6 Kobe Black – Black has started three games after missing the UTSA game with an injury. He has seven tackles and a pass breakup through the first four games and brings plenty of size and athleticism to the secondary.
FS #4 Jelani McDonald – McDonald is the veteran leader of the Texas secondary and has started all four games. He leads the Longhorns with 26 tackles, including eight against both Texas State and Tennessee, along with two TFLs and a pass breakup.
RCB #5 Bo Mascoe – The Rutgers transfer has started all four games at corner and has steadily produced. Mascoe has eight tackles through four games, including three against Tennessee, and gives Texas another experienced defensive back on the outside.
The Big Picture for OU…
***This is an extremely experienced and talented Texas defense. The Longhorns have held all four opponents to 17 points or fewer, recorded 15 sacks, forced five turnovers and are allowing just 2.8 yards per rushing attempt.
***The combination of Colin Simmons off the edge, Biles and Cryer at linebacker, and a veteran-heavy secondary presents a major challenge for an Oklahoma offense that has struggled to consistently move the football.
Bottom line…
***Win the turnover battle. OU is currently -6 in turnover margin, while Texas is even. The Sooners simply cannot give the Longhorns extra possessions.
***Make Arch Manning uncomfortable. OU’s secondary has been excellent, but the defensive line needs to create pressure without constantly blitzing. Make Manning hold the ball and force him to make difficult throws.
***Run the football. OU has averaged just 99 rushing yards per game, while Texas is allowing about 99. The Sooners need to establish some physicality and keep Colin Simmons and the Texas pass rush from teeing off on John Mateer.
***Finish drives. This one is obvious, but OU has scored just 23 total points in its last two losses. Against a Texas defense allowing only 13.3 points per game, settling for field goals or coming away empty simply won’t cut it.
Basically…Protect the football, control the line of scrimmage, make Arch beat you and find a way to score touchdowns. Tall order for this Sooners team.
WR Jahsiear Rogers | Sourced
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 8, 2026
Last night, a source told us that Sooners freshman WR Jahsiear Rogers had made his way into the doghouse and added that his locker was cleaned out.
Today, there are rumors out there that he has been dismissed from the program.
If we get confirmation of dismissal, we will update. (was confirmed)
The Sooners held off pushes from Alabama and Nebraska after flipping the former Penn State commit last cycle.
OU liked his speed and explosiveness and he was one of the stars of the OU spring game this year.
Quarterbacks | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: October 8, 2026
Here’s a quick assessment from a source regarding how the QBs looked this week.
***On Mateer – As usual, is the best overall QB in practice because of his ability to both throw and run. But, source said what we are all thinking…yes, we know what he can do in practice but he’s pressing in the games.
***On Whitt – Source said what I’ve heard from others, he’s just not particularly mobile and it shows even in how he moves around the pocket. However, he remains the most accurate of the three quarterbacks. Source said, if he could be protected, then he could give the Sooners more in the way of accurately distributing the ball. But, again, can he be protected or can he at least move around enough to buy himself an extra second?
***On Bentley – I don’t know if this young man is a gamer but it sounds like things are still moving too fast in practice. Apparently you get some glimpses here and there but it sounds like he’s pressing. Again, perhaps he’s a guy who turns it on under the lights?
Got the sense that BV let the dogs loose big time on the offense this week so the QBs got a lot of full force live work.
How This Weekend’s Game Could go
– Super K – Posted on: October 8, 2026
I’d be surpised if Texas puts a ton of points on OU. They certainly have excellent offensive talent but up until now, it hasn’t come together into the kind of production you’d expect given the names in the starting group.
Tennessee held the Horns to only 20 points – only 201 yards passing and a mere 61 yards on the ground.
The Sooners are certainly capable of ensuring that whatever the outcome of the game, there aren’t a ton of points put on them.
As we all expect, the issue will remain, what is the offense going to do?
First, I will repeat, the run game requires patience. Mateer and Avant are both getting about 10 touches per game. Avant is running for nearly four yards a carry. Mateer is running for about two yards per carry.
Please please, double Avant’s touches. Or at the very least split Mateer’s touches in half.
You have to go into this game knowing that the only way the Sooners win is if the defense plays well, which means the strategy for the offense in the first half should be at the very least to tenderize the DL (run the ball) even if it seems to yield no results.
You’re goal here is to win this game in the second half.
In my mind the most likely scenario given the Sooner’s offensive woes is that Texas leads the game early. But as the defense settles in, I think it will give the offense a chance in the second half if they’ve set themselves up for it.
I’m thinking of this as a turtle vs the hair situation. You’re playing to contain them in the first half and soften them up while you let your OL get live in game reps coming off the ball.
Then you make your move in the second half, just as they did to OU last year.
The question is, how will Mateer play? If you can hand the ball off to the backs more and trust your defense to give you time to be patient with the run, then you can limit the pressure on him and hopefully limit the mistakes.
I don’t know that this is the likely outcome but I think there is a very real possibility that if Texas goes up early and BV sees there isn’t any production coming from Mateer, he may look to his bench. At this point, given the lack of production out of the QB, I don’t think that would be the worst thing. The game plan, to me, remains the same, you’re playing to not beat yourself, to wear them down and to make your move in the second half.
There are obviously a number of ways this could play out but if it’s going to be a Sooner win, I’d surmise the most likely out come is something like that – OU down early but they keep the game within striking distance and make a push in the second half to win a close one.
If that happens, then I think the OU season trajectory totally changes. If not, oh boy.
