Oklahoma's success during the 2025 season will impact AU's outlook beyond the two teams' September 20 clash in Norman. John Mateer, the quarterback who's replacing the Tigers' new starter, Jackson Arnold, was one of the Auburn Family's preferred transfer portal targets -- and he's getting the kind of reviews that can give the orange and blue regrets.
Sooners Illustrated's Tom Green claimed Mateer "looked the part" this spring for OU.
"After arriving from Washington State along with OC Ben Arbuckle, John Mateer looked the part in his first spring at Oklahoma. His comfort in Arbuckle's system — now in his third year playing in it — is evident, and it has helped facilitate installment of the scheme with the Sooners. Mateer is clearly QB1 for Oklahoma, both in his standing on the depth chart and as a leader on the offense. He has the arm talent, running ability and positional savvy needed to help resuscitate OU's offense this season after the program's worst offensive year since 1998," Green wrote.
Sooners Illustrated's Collin Kennedy had perhaps even gaudier praise for Mateer this spring.
"John Mateer entered Oklahoma's program with a simple task: Help turn the Sooners' offense back into a winning unit," Kennedy said. "By all accounts he's laid the foundation well this spring, helping to implement the system and teach those around him. But beyond that, Mateer has come in and injected a little bit of energy into the locker room. His personality and leadership style already have teammates gravitating towards him, and he played a key role in creating a competitive environment during spring practices."
Arnold's performance will be stacked against Mateer's directly. Hugh Freeze runs the risk of looking very bad for paying Arnold seven figures instead of being more aggressive for Mateer. In truth, Freeze's loyalty to Derrick Nix and Kent Austin likely meant Mateer wasn't an option, since Ben Arbuckle coming with him from Wazzu appeared non-negotiable.
Still, narratives won't look good for Freeze or Arnold if Oklahoma leaves Auburn in the dust this fall.