No opponent has come within 32 points of the Georgia Bulldogs this season, and that’s the monumental task facing the reeling Oklahoma Sooners as they head to Athens. This is Oklahoma’s first ever trip to play Georgia between the hedges, and it could not come at a worse time for Brent Venables’ crew. The Sooners just fell out of the AP Top 25 after a truly lackluster showing against New Mexico, and now they are staring down the barrel of the No. 2 team in the nation.
Oklahoma’s Offense Is Sputtering Hard
What is going on with Oklahoma’s offense? The connection between quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is showing serious signs of deterioration. This isn’t a new problem either, with the trend dating back to last season even though the Sooners made it to the College Football Playoff. This was supposed to be a dynamic, quarterback-friendly attack, right? Instead, the Sooners have sputtered through September, unable to finish drives consistently. Mateer looks uncomfortable out there, Arbuckle’s answers have been limited, and their margin for error is shrinking by the minute. Facing a Georgia team that just blew out Arkansas in their SEC opener is the last thing you want when you’re searching for your offensive identity. The Sooners are coming into Saturday’s game as a near two-touchdown underdog, and after falling at Michigan in Week 2, they absolutely cannot afford to get swallowed by another road atmosphere and relentless pressure.
Georgia Is Rolling, Ready to Feast
Meanwhile, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are just out there crushing it, refusing to let complacency creep in. They look every bit the part of a national frontrunner. Georgia leads the country in scoring, averaging an insane 59.3 points per game. A huge reason for that offensive firepower is top running back Nate Frazier, who’s averaging 8.4 yards per carry and already has five touchdowns. He left the Arkansas game with an ankle injury, but Coach Smart said he could have returned if needed and is expected to play this week. Georgia’s rushing attack is the SEC’s third-best, a huge problem for an Oklahoma rush defense currently slotted 11th in the conference. On the other side of the ball, both these teams lead the SEC in total defense through the first three weeks, with the Sooners and Bulldogs being “three-and-out producers.” Oklahoma has only allowed two touchdowns, which is second nationally only to Indiana and Iowa.
This is a massive barometer game for both programs. For Oklahoma, it’s a prove-it moment. Either Mateer and Arbuckle rediscover that intriguing connection, or things could get really ugly really fast. Expect fireworks and maybe some defensive highlights when these two hit the field on Saturday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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