Oklahoma’s offense is searching for traction, but Ben Arbuckle isn’t interested in letting the mood turn sour.
The Sooners head to No. 2 Georgia on Saturday with a unit that has sputtered through two frustrating performances, and Arbuckle’s message has been clear: keep the group comfortable, keep it moving, and don’t let uncertainty creep in. Oklahoma will be staring down a Georgia defense that ranks seventh in total defense, 24th in sacks per game, 28th in first downs allowed per game, third in rushing defense and 30th in passing defense.
The Bulldogs do have some vulnerable spots. Georgia sits 70th in third down defense and 110th in red zone defense. Still, Oklahoma’s path to success is straightforward: play quickly, trust the plan, and avoid hesitating.
“You put your personnel and positions to do things that they're really good at,” he said on Tuesday. “You play to their strengths so they can play confident, they can play fast.”
That approach matters for everyone in the offense, from quarterback John Mateer, who has been uneven in his third season as a starter with Arbuckle, to the less experienced players around him. The Sooners’ biggest issues have come up front, where offensive line play has been a problem.
That group took another hit Wednesday night when starting left tackle Michael Fasusi was ruled out on the week’s first SEC availability report. Sophomore Ryan Fodje is set to start in his place again.
There was at least one positive update: freshman Noah Best was not listed on the report and is available to return to the starting lineup. Heath Ozaeta played well in Best’s absence against New Mexico, and that could open the door for Eddy Pierre-Louis to move out of the starting lineup.
No matter who lines up, Arbuckle said the goal is the same: make sure the players are prepared to go full speed when their number is called.
“You (have to) give them great looks from the scout team on defense, so they see the looks and they're confident whenever they go out there and play,” Arbuckle said.
Tight end Rocky Beers said the team still has more to show, pointing out that Oklahoma has not yet put together four complete quarters as a group. Arbuckle, meanwhile, is focused on getting the offense back on track in Athens.
“Ultimately, it comes down to putting those guys in positions to do what they do really, really well, and that builds confidence, and that builds a certain level of speed that you play at,” Arbuckle said. “And so that's how you do that.”
In Other News...
Oklahoma Already Has A Georgia Problem And Fans Know Where It Hurts
Oklahomas first availability report for the 2026 season already brought a tough early test into sharper focus, and the matchup waiting next could hardly be less forgiving. Georgia is on deck, and the Sooners are dealing with a group that already includes at least five players expected to miss the game, among them four starters, which leaves the depth chart looking thinner than anyone would want this soon into the year.
Defensive tackle David Stone is the name Oklahoma fans will watch most closely after suffering a dislocated kneecap, though the good news is that there is no structural damage and he is pushing to play. Linebacker Kip Lewis is listed as probable, which helps, but the broader picture is still one of uncertainty around several key players, and that is the part that makes this one feel bigger than a single injury report. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Heads To Georgia With A Depth Chart Problem Nobody Wanted
Oklahoma heads into its SEC opener against Georgia already dealing with a depth chart that has been shaken in several places, the kind of timing nobody wants when the competition level is about to spike. Five players have been ruled out and another is questionable, forcing the Sooners to reshuffle the lineup across both sides of the ball and lean on replacements sooner than planned.
The changes reach into some of the most important spots on the field, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line and defensive tackle, which is a tough combination to absorb in a single week. With starters expected to be replaced and several players projected to move into bigger roles, Oklahoma is trying to stabilize itself before taking on a Georgia team that will make any weakness in continuity hard to hide. [Read more 🡒]
Reggie Powers III Is Giving Oklahoma Real Confidence Before Georgia
Reggie Powers III gave Oklahoma another reason to feel good about its defense in the win over New Mexico, turning a missed tackle into a third-quarter sack that helped swing momentum back the Sooners way. It was the kind of play that showed why Powers has settled in so quickly to his new starting role, with the defensive back already ranking near the top of the team in several key categories through three games.
Oklahomas defense has opened SEC play on a strong note, leading the conference in scoring defense and passing defense after three weeks, and Powers has become part of the reason for that confidence. With Georgia next, he stressed the need for the whole unit to keep working together, which is exactly the sort of message a young starter can amplify when the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]