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Skip Bayless highlights brutal play by Oklahoma’s John Mateer in 2026
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- Skip Bayless highlights brutal play by Oklahoma’s John Mateer in 2026
Skip Bayless highlights brutal play by Oklahoma's John Mateer in 2026 appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer entered the 2026 season with high expectations. However, his recent performances have been anything but impressive. Sports commentator Skip Bayless has now delivered a blunt assessment of the quarterback's struggles.
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He criticized the fact that his standing has fallen sharply from last year's Heisman candidate conversation.
"John Mateer has gone from Heisman candidate a year ago to bench candidate now," Bayless wrote.
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Mateer has struggled to find consistency as Oklahoma's offense has faced problems against stronger opponents. The Sooners lost to Michigan before suffering another defeat against Georgia, leaving them with little margin for error as they entered the Red River Rivalry against Texas .
The quarterback's performance against Michigan drew particular criticism from Bayless. Mateer completed 17 of 33 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 17-10 loss. He also rushed for 45 yards, but Oklahoma's offense failed to produce enough points to secure the win.
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Bayless had previously praised Mateer after his time at Washington State. The quarterback threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024 before transferring to Oklahoma. However, injuries affected his 2025 campaign, and his 2026 performances have added to concerns about his development.
Mateer's decision-making has been another concern. Against Georgia, he struggled to take advantage of available passing options, while turnovers and missed opportunities contributed to Oklahoma's offensive problems.
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Those issues have fueled calls from fans and media for the Sooners to consider their backup quarterbacks. Coach Brent Venables, however, reaffirmed Mateer's position as the starter before Oklahoma's October 10 matchup against Texas.
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Related: Texas QB Arch Manning states obvious after imploding vs. Oklahoma
