College Football Playoff QB Rankings Put Oklahoma’s John Mateer Near the Bottom - But Context Tells a Bigger Story
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer hasn’t exactly set the world on fire this season, at least not in the way many expected when he transferred in with serious hype. But here’s the thing - he’s still got the Sooners in the College Football Playoff, knocking on the door of their first national title since 2000, and that counts for something.
Now, as Oklahoma gears up for a heavyweight CFP showdown against Alabama, the conversation around Mateer has taken a turn. A recent ranking of the 12 starting quarterbacks in the playoff field slotted Mateer all the way down at No. 11 - ahead of only Tulane’s Jake Retzlaff. That’s a steep drop for a player who opened the season as a legitimate Heisman contender.
But there’s more to the story than just a number on a list.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Mateer’s season took a hard left turn in Week 4 when he broke the thumb on his throwing hand in a win over Auburn. He had surgery and returned, but the injury clearly impacted his game - particularly his deep-ball accuracy.
That’s not just speculation; it’s been visible on tape. The zip is still there, but the touch and precision, especially downfield, haven’t been the same.
Still, what’s often overlooked is how Mateer adapted. Instead of forcing throws or trying to play hero ball, he leaned into Oklahoma’s strength - a defense that’s arguably one of the best in the country.
He became a game manager, yes, but not in a pejorative sense. He made smart decisions, protected the football, and didn’t get in the way of a defense that’s been carrying serious weight.
And let’s not forget: even before the injury, Mateer led the Sooners to wins over Michigan and Auburn. That wasn’t a cupcake schedule. He also handled business against Illinois State and Temple, but it was those early marquee wins that helped put Oklahoma in position to survive the SEC grind and make it to the playoff.
The Rankings and the Controversy
When you line up the 12 playoff quarterbacks and stack them statistically, sure - Mateer doesn’t jump off the page. His post-injury numbers are modest, and the offense has been more conservative since he returned. But rankings don’t always tell the full story, especially when they don’t account for context like injury recovery or strength of schedule.
One of the more eyebrow-raising parts of the ranking? James Madison’s Alonza Barnett came in just ahead of Mateer at No.
- Barnett had a solid year in the Sun Belt, but when he faced Power Four competition - namely Louisville - things didn’t go so well.
Meanwhile, Mateer’s been navigating SEC defenses week in and week out, post-surgery, and still found ways to win.
Statistically, Barnett might have the edge. But ask any Sooners fan if they’d swap quarterbacks heading into a playoff game against Alabama, and you probably won’t get many takers.
What It Means Going Forward
Mateer may not be lighting up the box score, but he’s doing what Oklahoma needs him to do - keep the offense on schedule, avoid costly mistakes, and let the defense shine. And now, with the Sooners just two wins away from a national title, the criticism around his ranking feels a bit premature.
Because when it comes down to it, playoff football isn’t about who looked the flashiest in October. It’s about who can make the right reads, protect the ball, and rise to the moment in December and January. Mateer has that chance now, and if he delivers, no one will remember where he ranked on a mid-December list.