Oklahoma Sooners QB John Mateer is trending towards doing what no one thought would really happen
The Oklahoma Sooners might have just gotten the biggest news of their season with the latest John Mateer update.
The Oklahoma Sooners may have just gotten the best news of their already strong 2025 season this week. The health of starting quarterback John Mateer is looming large ahead of their bitter rivalry game against the Texas Longhorns. Mateer had a fracture in his throwing hand that has forced him into a brace, and he immediately had surgery on it just days following Oklahoma’s win over the Auburn Tigers.
After backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. struggled against Kent State, fans have been deeply worried about how the Sooners will hold up in the Red River Showdown game against the Longhorns. After all, the Longhorns still boast one of the top defenses in college football, even if their 3-2 record isn’t stellar.
However, those worries might be unfounded based on the latest intel breaking from a college football insider. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mateer might be returning just in time for the Sooners’ rivalry game. If he does, Oklahoma’s chances of winning that game skyrocket.
John Mateer’s Heisman Campaign
- Mateer has led the Sooners to a 4-0 start, with key touchdowns that lifted Oklahoma over Auburn and Michigan
- Has compiled 1,215 yards through the air and another 190 on the ground despite missing time
- Leads Oklahoma with 11 total touchdowns responsible for
Mateer is the key to Oklahoma’s offensive success. Even if he has been far from perfect to start the season, he is a top-flight playmaker and creates moments on his own, something the Sooners haven’t had at quarterback since Caleb Williams.
When his injury was initially diagnosed, the timelines surrounding his return immediately sparked controversy and confusion. Some reports stated a couple of weeks, others a month. However, after speaking to sources in the program, Mateer has been telling everyone in private that he would play against Texas “no matter what.” That tracks with his personality. Quite frankly, there was never a doubt in my mind that Mateer would do everything in his power to get ready to play this week.
He is the ultimate difference-maker in this matchup, and it showed in the initial betting markets. Texas opened up as a -3.5 point favorite, even after their disastrous game against the Florida Gators. As I am writing this, that total has already begun dipping after Thamel’s report, and I think it will flip to Oklahoma being favored as the week goes on. That’s how much Mateer means to this Oklahoma team, and everyone knows it.
For now, the Sooners will likely try to invoke some gamesmanship with it and try to push back on any buzz about his return. Already, head coach Brent Venables has said he “didn’t know” when Mateer would return to the lineup. It might be too late to put this genie back in the bottle, however, given the immediate eruption of discussion and hype Thamel’s announcement generated.
Stay tuned for updates on the most important news of Oklahoma’s season throughout the week.
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