OU football is a quarter through its season. Here are some things we've learned about the Sooners.
NORMAN — OU football entered its bye week on a high: 4-0 following a gritty home win over Auburn with a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and nearly three weeks to prepare for arch rival Texas.
The Sooners accomplished everything they needed to quell concerns about the program’s direction under coach Brent Venables, who was in a prove-it year after two 6-7 seasons in three years. Venables’ decision to call OU’s defense has paid off as it ranks fourth nationally in total defense.
Vibes were immaculate. That is, until Tuesday’s news that quarterback John Mateer suffered a broken bone in his right hand during the win over the Tigers, requiring surgery. The hope is that Mateer can return for the South Carolina game on Oct. 18, pending the outcome of the surgery.
Mateer was off to one of the best starts in the country through four games. He's thrown for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 190 yards and five touchdowns.
Now, it's time for Michael Hawkins Jr.
While not ideal in any way, it could be worse. Hawkins played seven games for the Sooners last season, totaling 783 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for 204 yards and one touchdown.
The coaches have raved about Hawkins’ growth over the past year and Venables said a few weeks ago that the coaching staff prepares him like a starter every week. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle also has two and a half weeks to get Hawkins ready for his second Red River Rivalry game, assuming Mateer isn’t quite cleared by then.
"We have all the confidence in the world in Michael,” Venables said Tuesday in a release.
Hawkins has a massive opportunity in front of him: The chance to lead a top-10 team and show he can lead an SEC offense.
Here are four more Sooners takeaways at the quarter mark of the season:
OU football’s defense is one of the country’s best
Venables has been asked the question, ‘Is your defense elite?’ quite often over the past few seasons with the Sooners.
He’s never satisfied, but it’s safe to say this season’s group has been the closest to what Venables imagined building when he arrived in Norman. OU is allowing only nine points per game, which ranks eighth in the country, and has arguably the most impressive pair of wins nationally.
“We got great depth of leadership,” Venables said. “They’re very invested, that’s what I would say. There’s a responsibility that goes with that, an expectation and responsibility that goes with that.
“We’ve got great maturity on that side of the ball, and it’s seven guys that it’s Year 4 for them, and then the other guys we’ve brought in also have those qualities as well.”
The Sooners are expected to get some help soon in the form of freshman All-American cornerback Eli Bowen, who has missed the first four games due to an injury dating back to last season.
OU’s defense will go as far as its pass rush takes them. The Sooners tied a program record for sacks in a game with nine against Auburn.
“That’s one of the better pass-rushing teams in the country,” Tigers coach Hugh Freeze said.
Running game still a question mark
OU’s running game was not expected to be a concern after acquiring prized Cal transfer Jaydn Ott this offseason.
But Ott has only rushed nine times for 17 yards and true freshman Tory Blaylock leads the group with 179 yards and three touchdowns. The Sooners rank 67th in rushing yards per game out of 68 Power Four programs plus Notre Dame (independent).
It’ll be interesting to see how much OU uses Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum moving forward.
There’s still time for Ott, who arrived on campus in June and injured his shoulder during training camp, to turn it around. Wide receiver Deion Burks indicated following the Auburn game that Ott could be a significant factor soon.
Surprise players include Courtland Guillory, Jaren Kanak
If Ott has been the most disappointing player at this point, true freshman cornerback Courtland Guillory and tight end Jaren Kanak have arguments as the Sooners’ most surprising performers.
Guillory struggled against the Tigers, but he has started every game for OU. He was targeted five times against Michigan and didn’t allow a catch. He’s only going to continue to improve and getting Bowen back will help the depth of the Sooners’ secondary.
As for Kanak, his switch from linebacker to tight end has been nothing short of miraculous.
Kanak leads OU in receiving yards with 307, which represents 67% of the receiving yards amassed by Sooners tight ends last season.
Brutal schedule remains
OU might have the toughest back-end schedule in the country.
Here are the Sooners’ final seven games:
- Oct. 11: vs Texas (in Dallas)
- Oct. 18: at South Carolina
- Oct. 25: vs Ole Miss
- Nov. 1: at Tennessee
- Nov. 15: at Alabama
- Nov. 22: vs Missouri
- Nov. 29: vs LSU
OU will travel to three of the toughest road environments you’ll find. The Tennessee game is looking a lot tougher than originally expected and Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU are still undefeated.
The Sooners have been impressive through four games. Venables has won two massive home games, injecting excitement throughout the fan base and catapulting OU into the top 10 in both major polls.
Ultimately, the real test will be how the Sooners manage Mateer’s absence and navigate the daunting slate ahead.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football biggest surprises, questions four games into 2025 season
Category: General Sports
