Oklahoma offense: New play-caller and quarterback questions
The Sooners have swapped coaching staff and are debating their starter at quarterback after a 4-4 start.
By Leah Thompson ·
Oklahoma football faces two immediate problems this weekend. The program replaced its offensive coordinator and is considering changing its starting quarterback before Saturday’s game against Florida.
Ben Arbuckle is no longer the offensive coordinator. Jason Witten has taken over play-calling duties. This shift follows a 4-4 start that left the team ranked 15th in the SEC in total offense, rushing offense, and scoring offense.
Toby Rowland and Evan Kamikow discussed the changes on the Oklahoma’s Own Podcast. Rowland called the offensive inconsistency a major flaw in the Brent Venables era. He noted that the defense has improved significantly while the offense has failed to find steady rhythm.
The discussion turned to the quarterback position. John Mateer played well against Mississippi State but struggled in the loss to South Carolina. Rowland said he would be surprised if the coaching staff did not evaluate other options before the Florida game.
Whitt Newbauer is the backup quarterback. No official change has been announced, but the conversation suggests Newbauer could see the field. The team must decide whether to stick with Mateer for the season or begin testing younger players for future roles.
Coaches are also looking beyond the current roster. The podcast mentioned Chip Kelly, G.J. Kinne, and Mike Shanahan as potential candidates for the offensive coordinator role in the future. These names indicate the depth of talent Venables is considering as he evaluates his staff.
The decision on who calls the plays and who throws the ball will define the remainder of the season. With four losses already on the record, the Sooners cannot afford more trial and error. The next few games will show if the new leadership can stabilize the unit.
Source: KSBI
