From here on out, it’s a matter of regrouping for Brent Venables as he turns his focus to next season. The loss to the Tuscaloosa squad dropped OU to 0–5 all-time in CFP games—a thorn they’re eager to remove as soon as possible.

The question many are asking now is whether the Sooners’ project moving forward will feature John Mateer as the leader on the field, who still has one year of eligibility remaining.

“I really haven’t thought about it yet,” the redshirt junior said to the press after falling to Alabama. “I’m pretty sure I’ll take some time and weigh all the options, and we’ll see.”

What’s the situation with John Mateer?

Following their first-round playoff loss to Alabama, John Mateer faces a pivotal decision regarding his future with the Oklahoma Sooners. With one year of eligibility remaining, the redshirt junior must decide whether to return to Norman for another season or declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, where he is currently ranked as the No. 4 quarterback prospect by analyst Mel Kiper Jr. As the transfer portal opens on January 2, his choice will define the Sooners’ offseason and determine if he will lead the program into the 2026 campaign.

Mateer’s numbers this season at Oklahoma

During the 2025 season, John Mateer led the Oklahoma Sooners with solid overall numbers, recording 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He finished the campaign with a 66.5 QBR, showcasing his ability to manage the offense effectively despite facing elite SEC competition.

While his season ended with a tough first-round playoff loss to Alabama, these statistics highlight a productive debut year in Norman that has established him as a top prospect for the next level.

[Watch Alabama vs Oklahoma online in the US on Fubo]

History gives this College Football Playoff matchup extra edge, as Oklahoma enters with a rare advantage few programs can claim over Alabama. The Sooners’ strong résumé earned them a home game in Norman, while the Crimson Tide arrive looking to reassert themselves after an uneven stretch.

Oklahoma hasn’t been perfect, but its relentless defense has carried it to this point and now has a shot at the program’s first CFP win. With playoff survival and pride on the line, this is a primetime clash college football fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Alabama vs Oklahoma match be played?

Alabama play against Oklahoma in the 2025 CFP First-Round Game this Friday, December 19, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET).

Alabama vs Oklahoma: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Alabama vs Oklahoma in the USA

Don’t miss the 2025 college football showdown between Alabama and Oklahoma, streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN.

As Pete Nakos of On3 reported, Nussmeier won’t be playing as he is still dealing with an injury. This will be the third week that Nussmeier misses a game after suffering an abdominal strain.

Nussmeier has completed a 67.4% for 1,972 yards and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions. LSU lost four of its last five games with Nussmeier under center, and also scored 25 or less points in each of Nussmeier’s last five games.

It’s Michael Van Buren Jr. time once again

Van Buren has played in five games this season, completing 64% of his passes for 647 yards, throwing four touchdowns and one interception in the process. In those five games, he has a 3-2 record.

Oklahoma has a 9-2 record, it’s a very good team and always a big program to face. The Sooners have a very good 827-yard receiver in Isaiah Sategnaand a prolific defense. While Oklahoma hasn’t scored much, the Sooners have the sixth-best defense in the whole nation.

The Sooners are fighting for seeding

If Ole Miss misses a step and Oklahoma wins, they could be getting better seeding for the CFB Playoff. However, LSU and Oklahoma are not precisely friendly towards each other, so LSU will definitely trying to ruin the Sooners’ options to go to the playoff.

Still, the urgency resides in Oklahoma’s side. And also, well the starting quarterback is out fo the Tigers, so it’s a tough scenario for LSU. Oklahoma will go all in to win this game, while LSU has not much to play for.

Though this is only DeBoer’s second year at Alabama, the head coach has already faced Oklahoma before—and he’s determined to right his wrongs. Last season, the Sooners defeated the Crimson Tide 24–3, eliminating the Script A from College Football Playoff contention. Moreover, as Oklahoma handed Bama its third loss of the 2024 campaign, it also knocked the Tide out of the race for the SEC Championship.

This time around, the Crimson Tide is in a much better place in the NCAA. Boasting an 8-1 record (6-0 in the conference), Alabama is in pole position to make the 2025 SEC Championship Game. Moreover, the Tide should be a lock for the College Football Playoffs.

Barring a catastrophic home stretch of the year, DeBoer, Simpson, and Bama should make the cut for the expanded postseason. With only three games remaining, defeating Oklahoma would virtually clinch Alabama’s place in the playoffs. Therefore, DeBoer isn’t leaving anything to chance, voicing a strong message for the players.

Remember last year

“You know, we have a lot of new players on the team, so there are players that didn’t experience [last year’s loss to Oklahoma]. The ones that did certainly better remember,” DeBoer admitted, via On3.

“And understand that, more importantly, you’re facing a really good program that, you know, obviously, we went to their place and got beat up pretty good last year, and that’s who’s coming to town this week.“

Though Simpson saw the field on just a few occasions last season, he did take a snap during the 24–3 defeat in Norman. Now, Simpson and the Tide are seeking revenge against the Sooners as the school from the Land of Red Dirt walks into town.

Something new, something old

When Alabama hosts Oklahoma at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, it will mark just the second time the Sooners have visited Tuscaloosa in college football history. As it stands, the two schools have gone head-to-head seven times, with Oklahoma holding the upper hand at 4-2-1 against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide have never beaten the Sooners outside of Miami, Florida, as their two victories came at neutral sites. When Brent Venables and the Sooners arrive in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer, Simpson, and the Tide will not only face a ranked opponent but also the weight of having never defeated Oklahoma in the Heart of Dixie.

In the lead-up to the matchup — and adding some fuel to the fire — the Rebels’ head coach addressed his upcoming opponent, specifically pointing out how well Oklahoma does at picking up opponents’ signals through film study.

Far from backing down and quick to respond, Venables spoke to the media and took the comment as a compliment: “I guess coming from Lane I take it as a compliment?” the HC said on his radio show.

“Like, he must have watched our guys be really prepared. Cause that’s who they are, man. They’re relentless. Their detail, the time they spend above and beyond what’s required, that’s the proof of how we’re playing right now. That D-line, how they’re able to dominate physically.

“Honestly I don’t know of a team that hasn’t huddled. I think every single team we’ve played the last two years has huddled. And so between that and the helmet communication, I don’t know how that works, but we got enough to worry about just getting our guys lined up with the right call and things of that nature. But I guess I’ll take that as kind of a weird kind of compliment. Our guys must’ve looked pretty good on film.”

Kiffin’s comments about the Sooners’ defense

The buildup to this intriguing Ole Miss Rebels vs. Oklahoma Sooners matchup heated up when Lane Kiffin spoke out about his opponent’s unique ability to pick up the rival teams’ signals.

“One, it’s phenomenal prep — a film study of signals,” Kiffin said during his Monday press conference. “They do a great job of that. If you study people really well, you have enough confidence as a coach to go after those.

“That seems what he does and they’ve got a really good beat on the plays that are coming when they’re called and they do a great job of going and taking those away. Look at the Auburn game. I told Hugh [Freeze] after the game, watching it, he might want to switch his signals. Like, it looks like they have the plays. The middle safety’s running down to steal slants, which is very abnormal.”

When and where are the Sooners vs. Rebels playing?

The No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners will host the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels this Saturday, October 25, at 12:00 PM (ET) in a major SEC clash at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

In 2021, Rattler was in his third season as the Sooners’ starting quarterback. However, a freshman named Caleb Williams unexpectedly took over the starting role in the middle of the campaign, a move Rattler did not see coming.

This led to Rattler transferring to South Carolina. Now, both quarterbacks are in the NFL, and their Week 7 matchup carries extra intrigue due to their shared history.

Spencer Rattler denies seeking “revenge” in Week 7 showdown with Caleb Williams

Fate works in mysterious ways. Being benched in favor of Williams left Rattler’s future uncertain, but he ultimately thrived at South Carolina and became an appealing prospect when he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

That same year, Caleb Williams entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick, while Rattler went 150th overall. Both with a completely different scenario for their careers.

Now, their paths cross again as the Saints visit Soldier Field to face the Bears. While many assume Rattler may be seeking revenge, he sees being benched in college as a crucial step that ultimately helped him reach the NFL.

“We all have our own paths and we’ve got to do our best with our own paths,” Rattler said. “It is what it is. The past is the past. We’re focused on the present and the future, but I would say, yeah, that definitely led me to South Carolina. It was a blessing in disguise that I got to play with the Gamecocks and develop there, get ready to the league after that. I’ll say what’s up to him at the game. I’ve got respect for him. Good player.”

The past is a reflection of the present

When Rattler lost his starting role to Williams, few were surprised. Williams was a generational talent who later became the No. 1 overall pick, while Rattler fell to the fifth round.

Today, the situation mirrors their college experience. Rattler’s position with the Saints is not fully secure, and some expect him to be replaced in the near future, whereas Williams continues his rise in the NFL, just as he did during their college years.

Going into the game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the biggest question mark floated over Mateer’s availability. A little over two weeks after undergoing surgery on his throwing hand, the junior-year quarterback was back under center. Though Mateer doesn’t believe his injury played a factor, his time off the field did take a toll on his performance against Texas.

As a result, against Manning and the Longhorns in Dallas, Mateer played his worst game of his college football career. Following the 23-6 loss in the State Fair of Texas, the quarterback dropped a bold admission disregarding his physical health as a factor.

“Yeah, the pain level is nothing,” John Mateer stated, via On3. “There’s no excuse. I was ready to go physically, but mentally I just didn’t perform. My eyes weren’t as good as they needed to be, and when your quarterback doesn’t play good football, it’s hard to win in this league. That’s what happened.”

First taste

It was a day of many firsts for Mateer. He recorded his first 0 touchdown and 3 interception game of his career. Moreover, he lost his first game as a Sooner in the NCAA. The Washington State transfer also experienced his first Red River showdown. Though far from a nice memory, the signal-caller appreciated the afternoon in Dallas.

“Honored to play in the game, get to see the atmosphere,” Mateer added. “But I just didn’t play good enough. I got to practice a good amount. It has nothing to do with how I performed. I was prepared and I studied film the same way. I just didn’t come out ready to play.”

Perhaps, such an ice-cold reality bath was just what Mateer and the Sooners needed. Up next, the 5-1 Oklahoma will travel to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season.

There was plenty of speculation surrounding the availability of the Sooners’ quarterback due to his injury, especially after he was listed as “questionable” on the initial SEC availability report released Wednesday, October 8.

However, according to the latest reports, Mateer will start in this crucial matchup for Oklahoma.

“Sooners QB John Mateer is suiting up for the Red River Rivalry just 19 days after hand surgery,” it was reported via @YahooSports.

What happened to Mateer?

John Mateer, the early Heisman favorite, sustained a broken bone in his throwing hand during the win against Auburn. After undergoing surgery, the quarterback is surprisingly set to return to the field alongside his teammates this afternoon at the Cotton Bowl.

Beating the eternal rival

A triumph over Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry is far more than just a win for Brent Venables and the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners—it’s a statement of national relevance and a monumental validation of his program’s trajectory.

Securing a victory, particularly with quarterback uncertainty, would firmly solidify the Sooners as bona fide College Football Playoff and SEC title contenders. For Venables, whose tenure has been scrutinized by the demanding OU fanbase, it is a crucial signature win that proves his defensive resurgence is real and establishes supremacy over their fiercest rival in the new conference landscape.

As the two despised programs get set to do battle at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, fireworks are guaranteed for an electric showdown at the State Fair of Texas. Manning and Sarkisian know the Longhorns are walking on thin ice. One misstep, and they’ll be in for an ice-cold reality bath. Another loss wouldn’t only be heartbreaking, but it will virtually eliminate them from the College Football Playoff.

Venables and the Sooners are still undefeated in the NCAA. However, winning on Saturday is about much more than staying perfect. Starting quarterback John Mateer remains questionable to make his return to the huddle after undergoing surgery on his throwing hand. If they win without their QB1, morale will be through the roof in Norman.

Coaches can’t make plays

Still, with or without Mateer, the Sooners are eager to land a knock-out punch on the Longhorns. On that note, Venables issued a powerful message warning Manning and company.

“End of the day it’s about the players,” Brent Venables answered a question about Steve Sarkisian during the SEC’s weekly Coaches Teleconference. “Everything you said [about Sarkisian] is accurate. He’s had success at the very highest level for a long time. Does a great job in his creativity in the play design.

“But at the end of the day the schemes and what not that both programs run are only as good as the players that are out on the field executing it. So it’ll come down to that. It’s a players game.”

Make or break

Texas is 3-2 on the season (0-1 in SEC play). Losing to the Florida Gators in Gainesville led to the Longhorns being left out of the AP Poll top 25. Week 7 of the 2025 college football season marks the first time Texas enters a game unranked since November 2022.

Another defeat to a ranked SEC opponent could be the final straw. The odds aren’t in the Longhorns’ favor to make the Playoff, and back-to-back losses could virtually extinguish those hopes altogether. Manning and Sarkisian aren’t playing for their jobs, but more for their hopes in the NCAA campaign.

While there has been no official confirmation yet, all signs point to HC Venables turning to the talented Michael Hawkins Jr. to take over as the Sooners’ starter on October 4, when they host Kent State in Norman.

According to the veteran coach’s own words in an interview with On3.com, there are two key reasons why he trusts Hawkins Jr. to take over the team: his work ethic and leadership.

“He’s done a great job just keeping his head down, proving his understanding of the offense and all the fundamentals of being a quarterback. Leadership as well, and just has put together a really good body of work over the last several months,” Venables said.

“He’s always had a great work ethic, and he’s always been really coachable. He’s hungry, he’s humble, and ultra talented.”

What happened to John Mateer?

The No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners have been dealt a major blow as starting quarterback John Mateer is expected to miss multiple weeks after undergoing successful surgery this week to repair a broken bone in his throwing hand.

Mateer, who was playing at a Heisman-caliber level while leading the Sooners to a 4-0 start, sustained the injury—reportedly a broken bone in his right hand—during the first quarter of last Saturday’s victory over Auburn. Head Coach Brent Venables announced that the expectation is for Mateer to return to action sometime this 2025 season, though a precise timeline is still uncertain.

The recovery is estimated to be about a month, which means he will definitely miss the game against Kent State on October 4 and his availability for the Red River Showdown against Texas on October 11 is in doubt. Sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will take over the starting role during his absence.

What’s next for the Sooners?

As the Sooners head into their bye week with an undefeated 4–0 record, here’s a look at the upcoming matchups that await them:

• vs Kent State, October 4
• @ Texas, October 11
• @ South Carolina, October 18
• vs Ole Miss, October 25
• @ Tennessee, November 1

Though a strong blow to their NCAA National Championship hopes, the Sooners are confident they can weather the storm brought on by Mateer’s absence. With the Washington State transfer expected to be out for weeks, it’s up to Oklahoma to find a way to stay afloat in the meantime. It’s not like the schedule will be any easier moving forward.

However, Mateer knows he can still affect the team’s morale even if he is physically unable to command the huddle. Thus, shortly after having surgery on his right-hand thumb, the junior-year QB posted on his social media.

“Thank God for a successful procedure,” Mateer posted on his X, formerly Twitter, account. “Dr. Shin is the GOAT. BOOMER SOONER!!”

Onto the next stage

Mateer made sure to ease the tension in Norman with a relaxed statement. The quarterback has become a popular personality through his personal social media profiles, where he tends to post in a humorous fashion.

With surgery out of the way, Mateer and the Sooners can focus on the next step in the college football season. That is ensuring a full-recovery. There’s a fine line between wasting crucial time and rushing the process, Oklahoma must tread lightly as it engages in such a critical process with the star signal-caller.

Comes in handy

Fortunately for the Sooners, the program enjoys a bye week now. Oklahoma will return to the gridiron on October 4, when the Kent State Golden Flashes walk into Memorial Stadium in Norman. The Sooners should make it out of that matchup in one piece, regardless of who plays under center. For what it’s worth, it’ll be Michael Hawkins, as head coach Brent Venables confirmed.

It’s what comes afterward that makes fans in the Land of the Red Dirt nervous. Oklahoma is built to withstand adversity—being in Tornado Alley assures that. But whether the roster can handle the SEC schedule without their best player remains to be seen.

Fans will get an answer right away, as the Red River Showdown against the Texas Longhorns will be the next game immediately after hosting Kent State. Hope remains that Mateer will be available to join the squad on the trip south to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on October 11. However, at the moment, that’s all it is: a beacon of hope.