John Mateer is set to sport a minor but different look vs. Alabama, which could be great news for his play
Sooners quarterback John Mateer may be better throwing the ball on Friday vs. Alabama because of the hand injury being better.
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense hasn’t been right since conference play started. After quarterback John Mateer injured his throwing thumb, he hasn’t played well, and the offense has taken a hit. Against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday in the Sooners’ first College Football Playoff game at home, it could get better.
After two weeks off, Mateer had no medical tape on his injured hand this week. Previously, he had been playing with black tape on his hand, wrapped the same way for every game since the surgery.
“If you asked him, he still has some soreness, so he’s not pain-free,” head coach Brent Venables said on Wednesday during his virtual availability. “From a stability standpoint, he’s better than he’s been, gripping the ball and things like that. So, that’s why he doesn’t have it on.”
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer could have a healthier hand vs. Alabama, which could mean a better offense
When Mateer was healthy, the offense was better. Then again, that was before they started playing the quality of opponents they played to finish the season. That doesn’t mean he can’t get better, and the offense can’t be better if his hand is healthier.
When you watch him post-surgery, there are a lot of throws from Mateer that just have poor placement because of what looks to be a limited grip. Some of his errant throws are bad decisions, which don’t depend as much on his hand. Some of them are from bad footwork. However, you can’t tell me his broken thumb on his throwing hand hasn’t contributed to some of his poor play. Mateer already doesn’t have great mechanics.
Practice this week is important, especially for Mateer after resting his hand.
“I think practice brings confidence, and I’ve believed that my whole life,” Mateer said. “Just being able to do it, get back to where I was — it’s still a battle. It happened, and I’m always battling for it, being really detailed in the way I throw it every time the ball comes out of my hand. I’m feeling it the right way. I think doing it to the point where it’s unconscious. I’m throwing a route, and it’s right on their facemask, and I don’t have to think about it. That’s a big key, and you believe it when it happens on Saturday or Friday night.”
Oklahoma’s defense will show up; we know that. The defense is good enough to win the game on its own, but giving it some help will only increase its chances.
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