As Oklahoma gears up for its clash with Alabama this Saturday, the conversation in Norman still circles back to one near-fatal mistake. The Sooners escaped Knoxville with a 33-27 upset win over Tennessee before the bye week, but a late-game error by John Mateer nearly ended their campaign.

With 4:22 left in the fourth quarter and a 26–17 lead, quarterback John Mateer tried to connect with wide receiver Jer’Michael Carter on first down. Instead, Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman jumped the route and intercepted the pass, returning it to the Volunteers’ 45-yard line. The turnover opened the door for a comeback that could have shattered Oklahoma’s playoff hopes.

After reviewing the play, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle stepped forward and took full accountability. “Yeah, at the end of the day, that was my fault,” Arbuckle told reporters in a post-game presser. “I mean, I called a run play there. [Tennessee] had eight humans in the box. They pretty much had nine humans in the box, bringing cover zero. I gave the option to throw the ball right there. It’s nobody else’s fault but mine. I got to be better in that moment and in that situation. I know that, and that’s a good learning moment right there. That one was on me.”

Tennessee capitalized immediately, punching in a touchdown to cut the lead to 26–24. Fortunately for Oklahoma, the Volunteers’ onside kick failed, and the Sooners’ offense responded with a touchdown and an extra point, expanding the lead to 33-24. But the scare was enough to send a message. One more mistake like that, and the Sooners’ playoff push could be over. If the defense had taken the ball to the end zone, it would have been the end of the Sooners’ 2025 campaign, as the Volunteers lost the game only by 6 points.

Despite the turnover, Mateer turned in a balanced performance, completing 19 of 29 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, while adding 80 yards and a rushing score on the ground. His resilience was enough to carry Oklahoma to 7-2, but the interception reignited concern about his form since returning from injury.

Alabama has looked unstoppable this season, and for Oklahoma, that means the margin for error is razor-thin. Any misstep like the one against Tennessee could prove costly. The Sooners can’t afford late-game lapses or risky decisions in Tuscaloosa against a team in Alabama’s current form; even the smallest mistake could be fatal.

John Mateer’s 2025 season after injury

John Mateer’s 2025 season has had its ups and downs. The Sooners’ season started with a 4-0 record, pushing Mateer as a Heisman favorite with 11 total touchdowns and big wins against the ranked Michigan Wolverines and Auburn Tigers. But things totally changed after the surgery for a broken bone in his throwing hand. 

Mateer’s injury struggle made him play with caution and a lack of confidence. In the returning game against the Texas Longhorns, his throws were inaccurate and were intercepted three times. Since reentering the starting lineup, Mateer’s play has hit a dip in his production, and his turnovers have risen. 

Mateer now has 7 interceptions and 8 touchdowns in the season, passing the ball. At this stage, it is good to see the QB use his feet to work since the injury. Although Oklahoma was able to overcome its late-game blunder against Tennessee, this shouldn’t be repeated against Alabama, Missouri, and LSU, as they can seriously affect their playoff chances.