1. What is the consensus opinion on Jackson Arnold and his transferring out of Norman following last season?
Overall, no hard feelings from most of Sooner Nation. It definitely softened the blow knowing John Mateer was on the way. Most OU fans want to see Arnold succeed, and understand his situation last season wasn’t good for any QB. The breakup was honestly best for both parties. However, the tone is definitely different this week. While some fans might pretend they don’t care about Arnold returning to Norman, absolutely no one wants to see a former QB come in and get a W.
2. What makes John Mateer and the OU offense so dynamic?
The simple answer: John Mateer. He has elevated an OU offense that was historically bad last season (with the help of OC Ben Arbuckle). Mateer’s stats show he’s a great dual-threat weapon and why he’s emerged as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but his biggest contributions are beyond those numbers. Mateer has an unmatched aura. He raises the play of everyone around him. Dare we even say, Baker Mayfield-esque. It’s not just the wild plays and headband, but like Mayfield, it’s Mateer's toughness and confidence that feeds his teammates. There might be better quarterbacks in college football than Mateer, but none more valuable to his team on and off the field.
3. In what area do you consider Auburn having a strength over Oklahoma, and vice versa?
Although Jackson Arnold hasn’t utilized them much yet, Auburn has elite wide receiver talent. On the flip side of that, the Sooners are thin at defensive back. He’s been extraordinary so far, but the Tigers’ talent in an SEC opener will be the toughest test yet for true freshman corner Courtland Guillory. However, the Sooners do have a lot more experience on the other side and a great defensive front to help out the secondary.
As for the Sooners, it’s not a specific player or unit, but head coach Brent Venables, who now calls defensive plays. Not only is Venables a defensive guru as a three-time national champion defensive coordinator, but considering he’s playing a former player in Arnold, Venables has never been more prepared to face an opposing quarterback than he will be on Saturday.
4. Has the hot seat cooled on Brent Venables after this fast start?
Brent Venables isn’t completely off the hot seat with a daunting SEC slate ahead, but that win over Michigan and a 3-0 start definitely dumped some ice on Venables’ hot seat. However, a loss to Auburn would crank up the heat again. Based on preseason expectations and being a favorite at home, mixed with facing a QB he let walk, Saturday is basically a must-win for Venables to keep his seat cool.
5. How have Oklahoma fans reacted to the move to the SEC, and are they a fan or not of it?
If this question was asked last year, then the answer might be a little different. But even after a rough Year 1, Oklahoma is a blue blood, so it’s only fitting the Sooners compete in the best conference in college football. It just means more, right? That upcoming conference schedule is stuff of nightmares, but the Sooners will get the national spotlight nearly every week the rest of the season if things continue this way, and fans get to experience that unmatched anticipation and excitement every Saturday.
6. Name one overlooked Oklahoma player that Auburn fans might want to watch out for
He’s certainly not overlooked by Sooner Nation anymore, but freshman Tory Blaylock has asserted himself as the Sooners’ RB1 in what is a loaded room. Blaylock has averaged 5.1 yards a carry in his first three college games. Last week against Temple, he finally got double-digit carries with 14, and took them for 100 yards and two TDs. Auburn fans might recognize some of OU’s runnings backs from last season and probably even heard the hype about Jaydn Ott, but Blaylock will be the one the Tigers have to watch out for on Saturday.
7. Score and prediction of how the game plays out
As of writing on Thursday morning, the Sooners have three offensive linemen out and four more questionable. That’s certainly worrisome, so it’s hard to be too positive until at least a few of those questionables get upgraded. However, like I mentioned before, Venables is a mastermind and Sooner Nation will be rowdy, so even if the Sooners struggle offensively, so will Auburn. And John Mateer is always a difference maker no matter the situation.
Oklahoma 27, Auburn 13