Brent Venables’ Complicated Fate Confirmed as Tough John Mateer Revelation Adds to OU HC’s Woes

Well, the Oklahoma Sooners fans must be caught up with some ‘enough is enough’ feelings. Just when they had thought that in the 2024 season, they had seen enough with the 6-7 record, there awaits more woes. They must already be on the edge with their head coach Brent Venables trying his hands on a new role. However, there is another factor that might make their fate more complicated.

Unfortunately, this is beyond Venables’ control. And that’s their schedule. It is going to make or break the Sooners’ 2025 season. As the college football analyst sounded alarm, Venables and Co. got a reality check about their QB John Mateer. 

Can the Oklahoma Sooners survive the ruthless SEC path? 

Oklahoma’s 2024 season ended in a way that no Sooner fan, or coach, wanted. Even though Venables’ squad finished 19th in total defense, the wheels of their offense fell off. Now it’s a 50-50 situation in Veneables’ squad. A lot can fall into place while a lot can fall out too. On the After Further Review: LSU podcast, host Matt Moscona referred to how analyst Jake Crain had tagged Oklahoma as a “surprise team.” Well, he had enough reasons to claim so. First things first, they got John Mateer, the best transfer quarterback in the country. However, doubts started to build up with Ben Arbuckle as the OC who is now getting a shaky offense. On top of that, Venables will be taking over playcalling duties as he claimed “because I’m good at it.” But Moscona tried to put the blinds down. 

He dropped the bomb saying, “Even if you’re better it might be a thing where the record may not show it. Because Oklahoma again has the number one toughest strength of schedule in the country for next season.” FYI, Oklahoma has got nine opponents next season that have odds currently to win the national championship among the top 25 in the country. Buckle up, here is some more information. Unfortunately, Venables’ Oklahoma is the only team in the whole SEC who are going to face nine teams. On that note, Moscona paints a grim reality stating, “It’s not just about who you play but when and where you play them.”  

They will be playing against Michigan, the non-conference program Temple, Auburn, Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Alabama. The only two home games are against the LSU Tigers and Missouri. Moscona wrapped up his cautionary tale with, “Those six games right there are all games they could lose.” Now in case, Venables have thought that Mateer would turn out to be the lucky charm, he got served with some more reality checks. 

The expectations are sky-high from Brent Venables’ QB 

Well, Mateer is yet to play his debut game, but the expectations from the quarterback have already reached the ceiling. Analysts are already seeing the dual-threat QB from Texas showing shades of the ex-Sooners and Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. As CFB analyst Brandon Drumm tweeted, “John Mateer’s mannerisms and just overall look on the field is very much eerily similar to a certain QB that wore 6 back in the day. Almost freakishly similar.” However, he has made himself clear that he is in no way putting pressure on the QB. 

On that note, FOX analyst RJ Young came with a clearer picture. Not everything about Venables’ QB seemed to have pleased him. As he stated, “A lot of people comparing John Mateer to Baker Mayfield, which okay, cool, I get it. He’s a better runner than Jake Baker Mayfield was, but I don’t know that he’s a better passer.” Well, we got to see that during WSU’s face-off against Fresno State. Mateer struggled with deep throws. 

Going by his last season stats, Oklahoma’s new QB has completed 12 of 32 passes (38%) for 429 yards. Now that John Mateer steps into Brent Venables’ squad, he knows how he is stepping his feet on hot coal. However, the QB is willing to make the most of the high expectations. As he stated, “You’ve heard famous people say, ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ It’s a little cliche, but it’s true.” With the hardest schedule on the horizon, will Mateer’s hunger to grind still roar or simmer down? 

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