Football question

[SoonerDutch]

I guess it depends on the standard. There are probably 50 better college quarterbacks than Mateer this year. You definitely can’t say that about JJ, regardless of how his pro career has gone so far (and this is just his first season). He obviously wasn’t a star on the level of some other high first rounders, but Mateer would have to improve a ton to get to the level JJ was at his last season. At a minimum, he has to learn to take care of the darn ball. You can’t have a guy with basically a 1:1 TD to INT ratio.

I don’t disagree that Mateer could be better but 50 better QBs?

Somewhat of a stretch although 20-30 is true and still not great considering OU’s expectations. Would I say there were 20-30 better QBs in 2023/2024 than JJ/Howard? Probably.

OU can win with Mateer, especially if Mateer improves. I’d bank on it happening with a second year although he’s pretty old so upside is not top 5-10 IMO. Regardless he’s probably the best option out there, except for Nagy “finds diamond in the rough.”

 

[Eielson]

I don’t disagree that Mateer could be better but 50 better QBs?

With a broken hand, he was around top 50 this past year. Likely top 25 otherwise.

Regardless he’s probably the best option out there, except for Nagy “finds diamond in the rough.”

And if you're going "diamond in the rough" like Chambliss, as has been discussed earlier in this thread, he's a guy that rode the bench initially. You absolutely do bring in somebody like that or Bentley to groom, but you don't abandon the known starter of a 10 win season for a diamond in the rough. If Mateer sharts down his leg like he did after injury to open the season, then you can make the move. But if he's playing like he did in games while not wearing a brace, that's dangerous to abandon.

 

[mict085]

I really think the bigger problem is the run game. Without a good run game you’re asking mateer to do too much and the turnovers and mistakes are then inevitable. Also, Arbuckle doesn’t feature the RBs and the run game scheme isn’t great. He will run the QB to death while also asking him to pass 35-40 times a game. That produces stats against weak teams but not wins against better defenses. I’m not sure that will change since that’s been his philosophy as OC forever.

 

[sanguinetti]

I think spread type offenses struggle in the SEC (and we did against LSU and UF in BCS games) because opposing teams have athletic corners who can go man-man on your best WR's and so a lot of the mismatches the spread/air raid type O relies on....don't happen in the middle of the field. on crossing routes, etc.

edit: that said, sucks to choke at home against Bama and lose to Texas but I'm OK with this year when our Vegas O/U was what, 6.5?

My hope is Arbuckle continues to learn if he's all "that" as an OC. Lincoln started slow against elite competition, too. even with Samaje, Mixon, Dede, etc.

 

[WichitaSooner]

I really think the bigger problem is the run game. Without a good run game you’re asking mateer to do too much and the turnovers and mistakes are then inevitable. Also, Arbuckle doesn’t feature the RBs and the run game scheme isn’t great. He will run the QB to death while also asking him to pass 35-40 times a game. That produces stats against weak teams but not wins against better defenses. I’m not sure that will change since that’s been his philosophy as OC forever.

It’s hard to feature RBs when the line can’t run block and the backs are either injured, disinterested, or not very good. X and Blaylock had some good moments but weren’t consistent, and their biggest supporters claim that was due to health issues. Barnes has never been a good runner, and then quit and refused to play even when the other two guys weren’t healthy. Ott … enough said. And sounds like Tatum is likely going to be a baseball-only guy sooner than later.

I don’t know what an OC can do in that situation. There were some games where he could have probably stuck with the run more, but we have had three straight years of bad to awful running back play. Arbuckle was here for one of them. The constants are Murray, Bill, Brent, and Barnes. If they don’t add a good transfer who isn’t a head case, we will be in the same position next season.