According to CBS Sports, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will undergo surgery on his right hand. Sooners’ head coach Brent Venables said in a statement that Mateer is expected to return later this season:
“After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” Venables said. “He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Mateer is expected to miss roughly a month, with Oklahoma hopeful he can return before the end of October.
If that timeline holds true, Mateer will miss two critical road games, including a rivalry matchup against the No. 10 Texas Longhorns and a trip to South Carolina.
The Sooners do catch a bit of a break, though, with a bye this week followed by a lighter matchup against Kent State. As long as Oklahoma can steal at least one win from either Texas or South Carolina, their College Football Playoff hopes will still be very much alive.
Can Oklahoma Stay in the Playoff Hunt Without Mateer?
Prior to Mateer’s injury, Oklahoma’s path to the playoff was already extremely challenging, having one of the hardest schedules in the country. Now, with Mateer’s injury, that path has gotten even harder.
However, with an impressive 4-0 start, including wins against Michigan and Auburn, Sooners in are in a ideal position.
The Sooners will need their star QB to return in late October as that is where Oklahoma’s schedule ramps up. From that point on, OU closes the regular season with five consecutive games against ranked opponents. The stretch includes road trips to Tennessee and Alabama, two of the most hostile environments in college football, as well as home matchups against Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU. It’s a gauntlet that will define OU’s playoff chances.
With their extremely challenging schedule, Oklahoma may not need a perfect finish to stay in the playoff conversation. Depending on how the rest of the national picture unfolds, the Sooners could still be in contention with a 9-3 record, especially if those wins come against ranked opponents late in the season.
What Mateer’s Absence Means for His Heisman Candidacy
Prior to today’s injury news, John Mateer was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after four games. However, those odds have changed significantly since he was ruled out for the next month or so.
Through four games, the Washington State transfer threw for 1215 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing for 190 yards and five more touchdowns.
The timing of this injury couldn’t be worse for Mateer’s Heisman campaign. While it’s not impossible for him to remain in the race, history suggests it’s extremely difficult to miss three or four games and still capture the award.
Voters typically favor players who deliver elite production over the course of an entire season, and Mateer’s absence will leave a noticeable gap in his resume. To get back into serious contention, he’ll need to be nothing short of spectacular once he returns, posting huge numbers and leading Oklahoma to statement wins down the stretch.
In Mateer’s absence, backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will be tasked with keeping the Sooners on track until the phenom QB is able to return.