Brent Venables’ Sooners struggled last season—big time. Yes, while the defense held its own, the offense was a complete disaster. Not only this, the passing game was shaky. So, with the weak offensive line, nothing clicked. But now, change has arrived. The Sooners are revamping the O-line to fit Ben Arbuckle’s system. And they didn’t stop there. They got a new quarterback—John Mateer. Obviously, a clear upgrade from last year. But with change comes pressure. And now, all eyes are on Mateer as the spotlight intensifies, according to a Fox analyst’s verdict.

On the March 2nd episode of The Number One College Football Show, Fox analyst RJ Young dropped a bombshell on John Mateer. Young didn’t hold back, saying, “Can John Mateer keep pace? This is going to be a really interesting question to ask. Because most people believe, myself included, Oklahoma hit on his quarterback. A lot of people comparing John Mateer to Baker Mayfield, which okay, cool, I get it. He’s a better runner than Jake Baker Mayfield was, but I don’t know that he’s a better passer.” To be honest, while the hype is real, so are the doubts, and Mateer has a chance to prove the critics wrong.

Here, people compare Baker Mayfield and John Mateer for their style, mindset, and fit at Brent Venables’ Oklahoma. Although both are dual-threat QBs, their strengths differ. Yes, Mateer is the better runner, while Mayfield was a polished passer. Mayfield was a Sooners legend, throwing for 14,607 yards, 131 TDs, and 30 interceptions with a 68.5% completion rate, earning the 2017 Heisman Trophy. Meanwhile, Mateer showed off his mobility at UTSA in 2023, rushing for 300+ yards, 3 TDs, and averaging 4.5+ yards per carry.

As of now, Mateer hasn’t put up elite rushing numbers yet, but his athleticism and playmaking stand out. So, this comparison comes down to Mayfield’s arm vs. Mateer’s legs—two different strengths, but one big question: Can Mateer develop into the next star QB for Oklahoma? Here, RJ Young sees a big opportunity for John Mateer to prove himself. And he’s got the weapons to do it. “He’ll have an opportunity to prove that right. He’s gonna have weapons. He’s gonna have Deion Burks on the outside. He’s getting Jovantae Barnes back. They’re gonna give themselves opportunities to score,” said Young.

As of now, with playmakers around him, the stage is set, and it’s Mateer’s time to shine. However, John Mateer made a big move, transferring to Oklahoma from Washington State. And he brought serious playmaking ability with him. Look, in 2024, he ran for 826 yards and 15 TDs and threw for 3,139 yards and 29 TDs.

Right now, with two years of eligibility left, he’s a key piece of Venables’ Oklahoma’s future at QB. And the Sooners landed him through the transfer portal for a reason—he’s a game-changer. Safe to say, if he delivers, Mateer could skyrocket up draft boards as early as next season.

Although Brent Venables is building a stronger offense, his $44.8 million safety net is running thin. Even Paul Finebaum has a warning for him. Well, they’re starting to figure things out on offense, but man, in the SEC? Seems like the only thing that counts is stacking those Ws.

Brent Venables’ million-dollar mandate

With pressure mounting and expectations soaring, Venables isn’t just coaching for wins; he’s coaching for his future. As on The Paul Finebaum Show, the analyst didn’t sugarcoat it, and he said Oklahoma has struggled under Brent Venables. On top of that, if 2025 doesn’t go well, the HC’s job could be on the line. To be honest, the SEC is unforgiving—there’s no patience for mediocrity.

Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words—this season is make-or-break for Brent Venables and the Sooners. “If he can’t turn this thing around pretty quickly, I don’t think he’s going to have much hope. He needs a big season because he’s had two bad seasons out of three. I wouldn’t press my luck with another one,” said Finebaum. So, the message is loud—Venables is out of second chances.

Venables’ tenure at Oklahoma has been a rollercoaster. His debut season? A rough 6-7 record, with a 3-6 mark in Big 12 play. Then, year two showed promise—a 10-3 turnaround and 7-2 in the conference. But just when momentum was building, the Sooners crashed again. And the last season was another 6-7 finish and a brutal 2-6 record in the SEC.

Venables’ got a hefty $44.8 million buyout, which, thankfully, shrinks over time—$34.9 million, then down to $8.5 million by 2028. So, he’s got some breathing room, right? Big safety net. But now, with the heat on, it’s simple: he’s gotta turn things around pretty fast.