If Brent Venables could change one thing during his time with Jackson Arnold, it would be his team.
“Well, the only thing I wish was different was that we had a healthy offensive football team," Venables said.
Playing against their former quarterback, just a much-improved version of him, is the challenge the Sooners will be facing Saturday when they host Auburn. Although Venables knows the strengths and weaknesses of Arnold, he can only anticipate how well he has sharpened his skills ahead from the available tape.
Additionally, Freeze has fortified Arnold with a solid, and sturdy offensive line, one that is considered one of the most menacing in the SEC this season. Oklahoma's offense is also close, but they have some of their shortcomings following them from their previous season; the same shortcomings due to which Arnold had a terrible season.
“There’s a lot that you don’t know cause you’re not with [guys like Jackson Arnold] for the last eight months," Venables said. "[These guys who leave via the transfer portal often end up] playing their best ball at the end of their career. Jackson’s one of the most talented players in college football. He can throw.
"He’s been a winner his whole life. So I don’t think there’s any kind of advantage [for us] whatsoever. He saw our defense every single day in practice. There’s going to be a familiarity [for him]. Most defenses–everybody’s doing kind of the same stuff anyway. I don’t see any advantages necessarily one way or the other.”
Venables also thinks that Auburn's improved offensive line is what has changed for good for Arnold.
“I think [Jackson Arnold]’s the same guy," he said. "I think he’s got a healthy football team around him, and he’s having great success running, throwing, being really efficient. He’s taking care of the ball.”
AU's offensive line might be its strongest point, but let's not forget how threatening Oklahoma's defensive line is. Despite his familiarity, it would be a real challenge for Arnold to get the ball past the Sooners' secondary. If he can manage that, and somehow Auburn's secondary manages to hold off John Mateer, they might have a shot at winning this.