Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is still wrestling with the demons of last season, especially those brutal losses to Texas and Alabama. He's upfront about it, admitting those game films are "very uncomfortable to watch." But you know what? That pain, that raw honesty, it's exactly what you want to hear from a leader ready to turn things around.
The Alabama Pick-6 Mateer Can't Shake
Talk about a gut punch. Mateer confessed that one play in particular, a pick-6 against the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff, is burned into his brain. That play, where Alabama's defense completely bamboozled him, tied the game right before halftime in a matchup the Sooners eventually lost 34-24. He put it plainly to SEC Network: "They got me. They did. It is a bad play. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. I've thought about it a million times." That level of self-reflection is huge. He knows it was a turning point, and he's promised to "be better for it" in 2026. You can feel the frustration, but you can also hear the determination.Battling Through Pain and Poor Decisions
That Alabama pick-6 wasn't the only tough spot. Just 17 days after hand surgery, Mateer pushed through to play against Texas in a 23-6 loss. While he only completed 52.6% of his passes for 202 yards and threw three interceptions, he has zero regrets about suiting up. "I'm glad I did it because it showed me that you could fight through a lot, even though I was obviously not 100 percent," he said. "It was a very difficult thing to do. I'm glad I did it, even though I failed." That shows incredible grit. Those two games sting, no doubt, but let's not forget Mateer was electric for much of his first season at Oklahoma. He threw for 2,885 yards, tossed 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and even ran for 439 yards and eight scores, completing 62.2% of his passes overall.A New Mentality for 2026
Mateer's athleticism is unreal, and last year he sometimes relied on it too much, leading to plays that had fans on the edge of their seats for all the wrong reasons. Now, he's tweaking his mentality and even his throwing motion after that hand injury. He's putting a bigger focus on operating within offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system. He's learned a ton from the 2025 season's "uncomfortable" moments, and he's banking on those lessons to push Oklahoma to "another level" this fall. Fans should be hyped to see a more disciplined, refined Mateer leading the charge. You know he's going to come out firing, ready to show everyone just how much he's grown from those painful lessons.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.