For Oklahoma to keep building toward another strong November, the Sooners can’t afford a letdown on Halloween. South Carolina comes to Norman carrying momentum after a pair of emotional wins, and OU will need more than just another controlled night from quarterback John Mateer to get the job done.
A few other Sooners have to show up, starting on the right side of the offensive line. The return of Michael Fasusi at left tackle gave the unit a boost in Starkville, and Heath Ozaeta could give it another if he’s back at right guard. Ozaeta was not listed on Thursday’s availability report, which points to a return after missing two games.
That matters because South Carolina is likely to attack the right side. Ozaeta brings plenty of SEC experience, and Oklahoma will need that presence if the Gamecocks start keying on E’Marion Harris and the rest of the right side. Without a stronger push there, the Sooners could get trapped leaning too heavily on the left side with Fasusi and Noah Best.
Manny Choice is another name to watch. He had a career day against Kentucky, then was quiet against Mississippi State, though Brent Venables said Tuesday that wasn’t all on the receiver.
“He was open a couple of times, but we threw the ball elsewhere. So some of that is just a timing standpoint and game plan standpoint,” the OU head coach said.
Choice remains a big target for Mateer, and he could be especially useful in the red zone as Oklahoma tries to turn drives into touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. He has just nine catches this season, but his 98-yard game against the Wildcats showed what he can do when the ball keeps finding him.
Then there’s Tate Sandell, whose season has been a roller coaster. He was the hero against Texas, drilling the walk-off kick in the Red River Rivalry, but he also missed three field goals against Mississippi State.
With South Carolina winning games in a style similar to Kentucky’s and this matchup lining up as another tight SEC battle, Oklahoma may need to trust Sandell if the offense stalls on the Gamecocks’ side of the field. Venables will want to believe those three points are there for the taking, even if that has not always been a sure thing in 2026.
In Other News...
Two Former Sooners Are Already Turning Heads In The NFL
Two former Sooners are already making an early impression in the NFL, and both have landed on a list that tends to get attention around the league. Through the first seven weeks of the 2026 season, Pro Football Focus ranked Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels fifth among the top 15 highest-graded rookies, while Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings checked in seventh.
Daniels has climbed back into the mix after returning from injury, and his 77.7 overall grade shows how quickly he has settled in once healthy. Spears-Jennings has been steady enough to stay in that conversation as well, with his grades in each game consistently landing above 60.0, a sign that both rookies are already giving their new teams something to build on. [Read more 🡒]
B.J. Edwards Gives Oklahoma A Huge Opener Boost Amid Ongoing Fight
B.J. Edwards gave Oklahoma an important lift before the season even tipped off, after a Cleveland County judge granted him a temporary restraining order that makes him eligible for the Sooners opener. The guard had been sidelined by a legal dispute over the NCAAs Five-for-Five Rule, but the ruling clears the way for him to take part as Oklahoma gets its first look at the new season.
Edwards is also part of a broader challenge to the NCAAs policy, joining other athletes as plaintiffs in a case centered on players from the high school graduating class of 2022. For Oklahoma, the immediate impact is simple: a veteran guard is back in the mix for opening night, even as the larger fight over eligibility continues to play out in court. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Faces New Week 9 Concern South Carolina Can Exploit
Oklahoma heads into Week 9 with its injury report carrying real weight, especially up front. The Sooners are already down offensive linemen Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje, while center Jake Maikkula is listed as questionable, leaving the staff to sort through replacement options before facing South Carolina.
The concern does not stop there. Defensive back Eli Bowen is doubtful, and Peyton Bowen is probable to suit up, but the bigger issue is how the offensive line situation could affect Oklahomas ability to handle pressure and stay on schedule. Against a South Carolina defense looking for any opening, that uncertainty is the kind of development the Sooners would rather not be managing this late in the week. [Read more 🡒]