The Jackson Arnold era in Norman may have hit a major roadblock after a disastrous first half all but ended No. 15 Oklahoma’s hopes of upsetting Tennessee.
Heading into the game, something had to give—either Oklahoma’s SEC debut or Josh Heupel’s homecoming was going to be marred by a defeat. Unfortunately for the Sooners, it was Heupel who left Owen Field smiling, undefeated, and with full confidence in his young quarterback. Meanwhile, Brent Venables and Oklahoma are left with more questions than answers following their 25-15 defeat.
1. Offense Went from Bad to Worse
Oklahoma’s offensive line was always expected to face challenges against Tennessee’s talented defensive front, but few could have anticipated just how poorly the Sooners would perform. The Volunteers consistently disrupted Oklahoma’s rhythm, forcing the Sooners off schedule at nearly every opportunity. This allowed Tennessee to relentlessly pressure quarterback Jackson Arnold, shaking his confidence and eventually forcing a string of costly mistakes.
Arnold’s struggles became evident early when he squandered a golden opportunity following a strip sack by Robert Spears-Jennings that gave Oklahoma the ball at Tennessee’s 5-yard line. On the very next play, Arnold fumbled the ball, handing possession back to the Volunteers. His struggles continued with another fumble after Trace Ford forced a turnover that also led to a turnover by Arnold. Add in an interception on his second drive, and it became a nightmare outing for the young quarterback.
Arnold finished the game with just 54 passing yards on 7-of-16 attempts, negative rushing yards, and a benching in favor of true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. in the first half. Yet even Hawkins, who showed promise, couldn’t overcome the offensive line’s deficiencies, as the Sooners allowed three sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and constant pressure.
2. Defense Left to Fight Alone
Oklahoma’s defense did everything it could to keep the Sooners within striking distance. Venables’ defense forced two turnovers and held Tennessee’s explosive offense to multiple punts, all while containing the Vols’ rushing attack for much of the first half. But eventually, the defense wore down after spending significantly more time on the field than Tennessee’s defense, leading to Tennessee’s running back Dylan Sampson finding rhythm late in the first half.
The Volunteers found big plays early, like Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s 66-yard touchdown against Oklahoma cornerback Kani Walker in the first quarter. However, after that, Tennessee’s offense was mostly held to field goals, giving Oklahoma a chance to stay in the game. Unfortunately, without any offensive support, the defense couldn’t prevent the inevitable. The Sooners’ defense will need to play at this level all season long if they hope to stay competitive in the SEC, especially given the offense’s ongoing struggles.
3. Decision Time at Quarterback
Now, Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell face a critical decision at quarterback. Arnold’s first-half performance was rough, but the sophomore is still relatively inexperienced, with only five starts under his belt. Hawkins, on the other hand, showed flashes of promise in the second half, leading a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to cut the deficit to 22-9 in the fourth quarter. He finished the game 11-for-18 with 132 passing yards, one touchdown, and 22 rushing yards.
Hawkins is the more mobile option, and his toughness was evident as he stood in the pocket and attempted to jumpstart the offense. However, the offensive line’s poor play means neither quarterback is likely to thrive without significant improvement upfront. In the modern era of college football, making a permanent quarterback switch carries risks, as it often leads to transfers in the offseason. Still, given Hawkins’ performance and potential, Oklahoma may have to lean toward making the change and building around the freshman.
The loss to Tennessee raises more questions than it answers for Oklahoma. As the Sooners continue their SEC journey, they’ll need to solidify their quarterback situation and drastically improve their offensive line play if they hope to compete in a loaded conference.
