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USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On3 analyst Oklahoma has a quarterback advantage in 2025
On3 analyst Oklahoma has a quarterback advantage in 2025 When the Oklahoma Sooners made the offseason addition of former Washington State quarterback John Mateer, they made a massive upgrade at one of the most important positions on the team. In 2024, for the most part, OU was at a QB disadvantage against almost every team they played, especially in the SEC. That's extremely uncommon for a program that is used to having the better player under center. J.D. PicKell, who covers college football for On3 Sports, believes that the script has flipped in Norman, due to the presence of Mateer. "The schedule for Oklahoma and the quarterback matchups they have, I think it's very, very sneaky that Oklahoma, I think, is gonna have the advantage in a lot of those games," PicKell said on his podcast, "The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell. Going through OU's 2025 schedule, PicKell proceeded to say which games he believes the Sooners have the QB edge in, excluding matchups against lesser competition like Illinois State, Temple, and Kent State. PicKell believes Oklahoma has the quarterback advantage against Michigan (Bryce Underwood), Auburn (Jackson Arnold), Texas (Arch Manning), Ole Miss (Austin Simmons), Tennessee (Joey Aguilar), Alabama (Ty Simpson/Austin Mack/Keelon Russell) and Missouri (Beau Pribula). He declined to say the Sooners have the QB edge against South Carolina (LaNorris Sellers) and LSU (Garrett Nussmeier). "We just went through that entire schedule and there's two games that you're talking about a superior quarterback for the opposite side, as we sit here right now," PicKell said. By all reports, the Sooners look to have a quarterback in the saddle again who can change games for them in a positive way. Mateer and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle are trying to make sure that Year 2 in the SEC goes differently than Year 1 did for Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Predicts Arch Manning, Texas Will Take Unexpected Approach Against Ohio State
The attention Arch Manning receives, whether he wants it or not, is a blessing and a curse. How the meter leans after he and the Texas Longhorns clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes to start the season depends on multiple factors. On3's J.D. PicKell doesn't envision Steve Sarkisian pushing his new starting quarterback onto the Ohio Stadium field and telling him to let loose. Advertisement "A lot of the narrative with Arch Manning will be tied to how Steve Sarkisian decides to call the offense," PicKell said Thursday on "The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell." "Because I would not be surprised even a little bit if we trot out there for Week 1 if we're Texas, and this game plan is semi-conservative. Texas Longhorns QB Arch Miron-Imagn Images "'Hey, we're gonna try and hold the ball. We're gonna try and run the ball. We're gonna test this front seven of Ohio State. We're gonna try to take a lot off Arch's plate.'" PicKell predicted Manning could finish with passing numbers similar to the ones USC's Matt Barkley had on the road in Columbus in 2009. During an 18-15 win, Barkley went 15 for 31 for 195 yards and an interception. Advertisement Such a performance would likely prompt early overreactions. "The narrative around Arch Manning, because of his last name, because of the brand that is Texas football, will be all over the place," PicKell said. "From September to October, it is going to be, 'Is Arch Manning the best Manning in his family?' To, 'Should Texas go in another direction without Arch Manning as their starting quarterback?' "'Is the spotlight too bright for Arch?' Like, you're going to hear all of that and in between. 'Is Arch just getting credit because of his last name?' You're gonna hear all of that." Related: Analyst Lays Out Reasons Texas Can Dominate in Columbus
