The offense has clearly improved under Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer. But comparing this offense to 2024's offense is an extreme example of judging on a curve. The running back room is either banged up or not available. The vertical threat in the receiving game hasn't been there since Mateer's hand surgery. This offense does appear to have an offensive line to operate behind. But the explosiveness, the threat this offense presents? It's not really there. In our first William & Lauren practice report of Missouri week, coaches and players talk about getting this offense moving forward as they know it's needed to make a run into the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was an eventful day that started out at the Board of Regents meeting in OKC. The Sooners are getting ready to renovate the west side of GFOMS. Joe Castiglione and Joe Harroz both spoke about the massive undertaking and what that could mean for OU fans already with seats on that side of the stadium. But we're really here for Alabama and OU football's road trip to Tuscaloosa this weekend. OU is undefeated in true road games this season. And after last week's win at Tennessee, everyone is excited about the prospects of doing it again this week at Alabama. We spoke with several players this week about the road dog mentality and the improvements being made on offense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Sooners get set for another huge road test at Alabama, those surrounding OU football are wondering if this team is improving at a pace that can compete and even win in Tuscaloosa. John Mateer is clearly healthier than he's been since his hand surgery. The offensive line and run game seem to be coming together. And the defense continues to be the bright spot of this team showing depth and playmakers all over the field. Does the bye week make this team even healthier and more dangerous for the Crimson Tide. We have a lot to go over in this week's William & Lauren Practice Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our final Practice Report of the bye week we take a look at some of the good things that are happening inside the OU football program as they begin their critical stretch run. Kobie McKinzie missed the Tennessee game. But Owen Heinecke was there to step up and even earned SEC Player of the Week honors. And that offensive line continues to come together even though they are insanely young. And Eddy Pierre-Louis has been a big part of this resurgence on the offensive line. We spoke with "EPL" this week as well as Brent Venables and his teammates like Michael Fasusi on how important his play and his energy have been for the line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a bye week, and as happened during the first bye week of the season, Brent Venables held an interview inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Venables talked about his thoughts on the first college football rankings and how the Sooners are handling a second bye week. Venables' likes the double bye weeks? The offensive line performance with so many young faces was also something Venables was happy to talk about following the Sooners first practice since the Tennessee game. And the rest should be good for John Mateer as well, who looked very good in the second half against Tennessee. He'll need to have another big performance if the Sooners hope to upset Alabama in nearly two weeks in Tuscaloosa. So his rest, recovery and healing is paramount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the second half against Tennessee, you may have noticed the Sooners looked like an offense everyone thought they could have this season. John Mateer had his most productive outing since he had his hand surgery. He also regained his form as a powerful and dynamic runner. Xavier Robinson also is starting to shine at the running back position. But it's the young offensive line that might be one of the biggest reasons the offense seems to be gaining it's footing. Two true freshman at tackle? Sophomore Eddie Pierre-Louis at guard? That's not going to be easy. And it hasn't been, but now it's starting to look like it should. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Tennessee approaches, Ben Arbuckle continues to work to get his offense and John Mateer on track. The offensive line also got a big boost when true freshman Ryan Fodje played well as a member of the starting offensive line last week against Ole Miss. But if the Sooners don't clean up major mistakes in special teams and penalties, this season will enter a desperate mode heading down the home stretch. None of this is easy, but the Sooners have to find a way to stop making it harder than it needs to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last three weeks have not been the greatest for John Mateer since his return from hand surgery. Whether it's identifying receivers, struggling with accuracy or making plays with his legs, Mateer hasn't looked the same as he did early in the season. As the Sooners get set for another major SEC battle with Tennessee this weekend, Mateer, Arbuckle and head coach Brent Venables talked about the issues facing this OU offense. This program is looking for a turnaround with a brutal four-game slate to finish the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer talked openly about his recovery from hand surgery this week, including how he manages his rehab and his ability to throw the football as he continues to get more and more healthy. As Mateer continues to get better, he's also starting to rebuild his relationship on the field with Javonnie Gibson, who was a bigger part of the gameplan Saturday against South Carolina. And it appears Xavier Robinson is finally starting to separate from the pack behind Tory Blaylock as the Sooners continue their efforts to build a running game on offense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first practice report of a huge week starts on defense as Brent Venables and Reggie Powers talk about the Cheetah position and why it is playing so well. And what does the future hold for Kendal Dolby? Is he looking to redshirt? Or even transfer? The OU run game has John Mateer smiling after they racked up over 170 yards against South Carolina. It's also been a great season for Tate Sandell as OU's placekicker up to this point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Sooners get ready to take on South Carolina following an emotional loss to rival Texas, Brent Venables has a message for his team: There's still a lot left to play for. At 5-1, the Sooners have the toughest stretch in front of them on the 2025 schedule. First off, the Sooners need to get healthy on the offensive line and there were positive updates in that area early in the week. The defensive is looking for a bounce back performance after giving up more rushing yards than normal against the Longhorns. And the future of Jayden Gibson at Oklahoma has finally been determined. It's the Oklahoma Sooners Practice Report. It's time to move on to South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Oklahoma gets set to take on South Carolina, Brent Venables finds himself in a social media war with the Big 12 Conference. But around here, more people are concerned with the lack of run game being displayed by the OU offense. And as this team heads on the road in the SEC, these games are often one score games. Is the running game going to continue holding OU back from being on top of those one score games? Or will they start to figure this thing out. Oh, and the health of the offensive line is also something we'll be paying close attention to this week. And how is John Mateer bouncing back this week after a tough performance against the Longhorns? Is he healthy yet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we've already talked a lot about John Mateer's availability for Saturday's Red River Rivalry, there are a lot of other matchups that will go a long way in deciding this year's edition. OU's defensive line would appear to have a huge advantage over a Longhorn offensive line that has been struggling all season. And what about Brent Venables vs. Steve Sarkisian? Can the Sooners find some continuity at the running back position? And it also appears the Sooners can lay claim to the edge on special teams as well. We hear from coaches and players on the matchup in today's Practice Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brent Venables held his weekly press conference on Tuesday and was peppered with questions about the status of quarterback John Mateer, who is attempting to return from a hand injury for the Red River Rivalry. Ben Arbuckle also held his weekly press conference and was asked all the same questions. What do Eddie and George take out of the answers given about the possibilities of Mateer returning? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes. Michael Hawkins Jr. is starting Saturday against Kent State. And the support he's received through the bye week and during game week prep will determine how he plays in his first start as a sophomore. Ben Arbuckle talked this week about preparing Hawkins and how senior offensive analyst John Kuceyeski plays a big part in getting his quarterbacks prepared to play well on gamedays. Arbuckle also had a message about Jaydn Ott and his readiness to play along with his name being associated with head coaching jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a long year since Michael Hawkins Jr., was thrust into the spotlight against Auburn. Hawkins was elevated to a starting role, then benched, then put back in the spotlight during last season's bowl game. This time around Hawkins has the support of a capable offensive coordinator, a capable quarterbacks coach and a better offensive line. At least from a protection point of view. No one knows exactly what we'll see from Hawkins this weekend against Kent State. But the belief is strong in Hawkins as the Sooners trying and bide their time before John Mateer returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the bye week, we did get a chance to catch up with a lot of Oklahoma football players. John Mateer playing through a thumb injury for three quarters really made a huge impression on the team once they found out he was injured at all. Deion Burks and Peyton Bowen are both looking forward to the college football world getting first looks of Javonnie Gibson and Eli Bowen for the first time this season when the Sooners take the field against Kent State. Grayson Miller talks about his journey to Oklahoma and everyone is excited for Michael Hawkins Jr., to get behind center and show the world he's improved since last season. #ad For a limited time, our listerns can get Harry's trial set for only $8 + a Free Gift at Harrys.com/SOONERSCOOP. Just head over to https://www.harrys.com/soonerscoop to receive our exclusive discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was the final practice of the bye week this afternoon as John Mateer returned home from his surgery in Los Angeles in the hopes of returning to the field as soon as possible. But in the meantime, the Sooners are getting ready to move forward with Michael Hawkins Jr., behind center. The return of Eli Bowen is imminent as well as the debut of wide receiver Javonnie Gibson. Brent Venables talked about preparing to move forward without Mateer for the time being and the confidence and mindset of this team without him after practice on Thursday. #ad For a limited time, our listerns can get Harry's trial set for only $8 + a Free Gift at Harrys.com/SOONERSCOOP. Just head over to https://www.harrys.com/soonerscoop to receiver our exclusive discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SoonerScoop was first to report that John Mateer, Oklahoma quarterback, and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, could possibly miss three weeks after suffering a hand injury against Auburn. The OU QB will have surgery this week and give way to sophomore QB Michael Hawkins, Jr. Eddie and George break it all down and tell you where they think things go from here in Norman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oklahoma offense has had its fair share of standouts over the first three weeks. Jaren Kanak, Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis and more. And that's the thing. We keep seeing more. Isaiah Sategna broke out against Temple. We've seen flashes from others. And Javonnie Gibson isn't even back from injury yet. A big part of that has to do with the trust that Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer are showing in a lot of different players on the roster. Even second-year talent Zion Kearney is starting to show signs of breaking out. We also have more on the offensive line as well as the arrival of Tory Blaylock as the Sooners newest explosive weapon out of the backfield. And Jovantae Barnes still has a role to play in the offense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices