In this episode of Saturday vs Sunday, we break down one of the biggest results of Week 2: Oklahoma’s victory over Michigan, powered almost entirely by quarterback John Mateer.
The Sooners’ offense was the Mateer show from start to finish. He threw 34 passes and ran the ball 19 times, accounting for nearly every yard OU gained. His ability to escape constant pressure from Michigan’s defensive line and turn broken plays into positive gains gave Oklahoma the edge. We even found ourselves comparing him to Baker Mayfield—not for the identical style, but for Mateer’s fearless moxie, leadership, and greater mobility.
Defensively, Brent Venables finally has his stamp on this team. The front seven was disruptive all game, producing eight tackles for loss and keeping Michigan’s young quarterback Underwood off balance. While Michigan leaned on a conservative run-heavy plan, their offense managed only three explosive plays that accounted for half of their yardage. Otherwise, the Sooners dictated the flow.
We also talk about the concerns. Oklahoma still needs a reliable running back to take pressure off Mateer, and the offensive line must improve to prevent him from carrying the entire load every week. Still, this felt like a signature win for Venables—arguably the biggest of his tenure—and it showed the Sooners can compete in the SEC-style battles ahead.
With Auburn next and the Red River Showdown looming, this win set the tone: Oklahoma has its quarterback, and the ceiling just got higher