U40: Mateer is out. Hawkins is up. Can the Sooners hold on to a CFP spot?

U40: Mateer is out. Hawkins is up. Can the Sooners hold on to a CFP spot?

Author: SoonerScoop.com September 24, 2025 Duration: 1:43:58
John Mateer is out for at least the next few weeks and the guys are here to tell you how it all went down in the offices yesterday as we worked to track down the news and to share the context of what we have heard and what happens moving forward. It's the bye week. How will the Sooners use it to get better with Hawkins at QB? And the running game still needs a lot of work. Is Kent State the beginning or the end of Jaydn Ott as a productive member of the running back room? The SEC also released future schedules yesterday and no one saw Ole Miss landing as a permanent rival for the Sooners. We break down our thoughts on the schedule. We talk about some of the recruiting storylines coming off another good weekend of visitors and how much of a candidate is Ben Arbuckle going to be for head coaching jobs next season? All that and more on this week's episode of the Unofficial 40. #ad Our listeners get Harry's Trial Set for only $8 + a Free Gift at https://www.Harrys.com/SOONERSCOOP #Harryspod THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW 0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial 40! John Mateer had surgery today.  10:00 - What’s a realistic timetable for Mateer’s return? Could he really be back by Texas?  18:00 - Regardless of QB, OU has to makes some strides in the run game: RB + OL combined need to play better 29:00 - CB Eli Bowen, WR Javonnie Gibson expected to return  39:00 - Is Ben Arbuckle a serious head coach candidate when the carousel begins?  49:00 - SEC Future Schedules 1:03:00 - Recruiting following Auburn weekend 1:30:00 - CFB Roundtable  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For fans who live and breathe University of Oklahoma athletics, Oklahoma Sooners Unofficial 40 is the essential audio companion. Brought to you by the seasoned team at SoonerScoop.com, this podcast digs into the stories, strategies, and personalities that define OU sports. While Sooners football is a central pillar, the conversation extends across the entire athletic department, offering analysis on basketball, softball, and other programs that carry the crimson and cream banner. The show also provides crucial insight into the future of the teams through dedicated recruiting coverage, tracking the high school prospects who are poised to become the next generation of Sooners legends. Each episode feels like a candid discussion among knowledgeable friends, breaking down game performances, coaching decisions, and the latest news from Norman without the filter of official press conferences. It’s the kind of detailed, behind-the-scenes perspective that fans crave, delivered with the authority and access that only comes from the SoonerScoop.com crew. Tune in for a direct line to the heart of OU athletics, where every win, loss, and roster move is examined with a fan’s passion and an insider’s depth. This is the unofficial guide for the dedicated supporter, a podcast that captures the full spectrum of what it means to follow the Sooners.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Oklahoma Sooners Unofficial 40
Podcast Episodes
U40: Fixing the offense is still the gravest of concerns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:13
The entire crew has plenty to break down from the hour long Brent Venables press conference on Tuesday. And with Maine coming to town, it's a perfect week to work on this offense. What have we liked from Joe Jon Finley a…
U40: South Carolina may determine the future of OU's offense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:21
The Sooners are at a crossroads as South Carolina heads to town. The offense is full of mistakes and Brent Venables is finally talking about it. The future of the quarterback position may depend on Michael Hawkins Jr.'s…
U40: What has to happen for OU to beat Texas? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:05
It's OU-TX in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Quinn Ewers expected to return. OU's defense expected to be there. Michael Hawkins Jr., becomes the first true freshman to lead the Sooners into this battle with just six other re…
U40: Will OU's offense be better or worse against Auburn? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:21
SEC firsts haven't gone well for Oklahoma. After a 25-15 loss to Tennessee in their SEC home opener, the Sooners travel to Auburn, Ala., for their SEC road opener. In this episode we talk about the QB change from Jackson…
U40: It's a massive game in Norman. OU vs. Tennessee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:41
Usually during game weeks, you get a little worn out talking about the same things over and over. But not this week. This is the week you love to try and figure out exactly what we could see happen in the biggest matchup…
U40: The run game is what fixes OU's offense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:48
It's Wednesday. There may be some hope in the air after everyone has gotten the doom and gloom out of their system. At least the people inside the Scoop offices. We've heard from players and Brent Venables. We've watched…
U40: What can be fixed and who can step up on offense for Houston? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:48
Is the Scoop staff at war with each other over the offensive line situation? Maybe. But mainly we're all just trying to figure out who the hell is going to be the starting center Saturday against Houston. Injuries have r…