Mack Rhoades discusses the impact of John Mateer's injury and recovery on Oklahoma's College Football Playoff ranking
In late September, Oklahoma was on a roll with a 4-0 start. But then, the Sooners lost their quarterback, John Mateer, to a hand injury that required surgery. Since then, Mateer has been working his way back to full strength, and the team's ranking has been a topic of discussion.
Despite being ranked 12th in the second College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings, Oklahoma is still in the running for a spot in the playoff bracket. The CFP selection committee chair, Mack Rhoades, acknowledged the conversation about Mateer's injury and recovery. He noted that the committee sees Mateer starting to turn a corner, especially compared to his performance in the return game against Texas.
Rhoades expressed great respect for Oklahoma's quality wins, including a strong showing against No. 18 Michigan and a victory over Tennessee. He mentioned that Mateer was playing at a high level before the surgery and that the committee likely did not consider him at full strength in the first game back against Texas. As the season progresses, Mateer is getting closer to his pre-injury form, and the committee has high hopes for his continued recovery.
The impact of Mateer's injury on Oklahoma's performance is evident in the team's record since his return. Oklahoma is 2-2, with both wins coming on the road. Before the surgery, Mateer had impressive statistics, including a 67.4 completion percentage, 1,215 yards, and six touchdowns. However, since his return, his completion percentage has dropped to 59.7%, with 734 yards and two touchdowns. The team's most recent game, however, showcased Mateer's best performance since his return, with 19 successful passes out of 29 attempts and a season-high 80 rushing yards.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma has a challenging match against No. 4 Alabama, which could significantly impact their playoff hopes and resume. The team aims to make a statement against the Crimson Tide and further strengthen their case for a playoff spot.
