OU (10-2, No. 8 CFP) head coach Brent Venables addressed the media Sunday ahead of its College Football Playoff matchup with Alabama (10-3) No. 9 CFP). The Sooners will face kick off against the Crimson Tide at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on ABC.
Here are key takeaways:
OU excited to host College Football Playoffs
OU is set to host a playoff game in Norman for the first time in its history and feels proud of the environment at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
"It'll be an electric environment, one where they're going to show up with great passion and energy and make it difficult for the opponent to communicate — all those types of things, the advantages that you get," Venables said. "Our fan base is incredibly hungry. They've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
The playoff scheduling, however, currently conflicts with Dec. 19 final exams and comes before OU graduation ceremonies on the following day.
"The University of Oklahoma will hold Fall 2025 Commencement as planned on Dec. 20, ..." OU Marketing and Communications said. "Any potential adjustments related to Friday's final exam schedule will be communicated as soon as possible."
R Mason Thomas uncertain, Gentry Williams out
The Sooners have been without redshirt junior defensive back Gentry Williams since its 23-6 loss to Texas, and senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas last played in a 33-27 win over Tennessee on Nov. 1.
Venables said Williams will be unavailable and that he is uncertain of Thomas' status.
"Gentry had shoulder surgery, so he'll be out," Venables said. "And we'll see on (R Mason Thomas). ... R Mason is one of the more explosive defensive players in the country."
Regardless of their statuses for the playoffs, the defense still ranks No. 9 in the nation.
"You create your own breaks by playing hard and playing smart and playing fast, and that's certainly what coach Venables has with his team and ... the defense — one of the best in the country," Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said.
Striving for offensive improvement
While OU has dominated defensively, the offense has struggled to keep up.
While the defense currently ranks No. 9, the offense is 79. The dry offensive performances also come as redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer's passing yards have dropped after returning 17 days after surgery on his right thumb he injured against Auburn on Sept. 20. He averaged 304 passing yards before the injury but has put up 195 per game following his return.
"We need to offensively, get back to the rhythm and cadence that we (had earlier in the year," Venables said.
However, Mateer has had some bright spots recently with a 87-yard connection with redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna en route to defeating Missouri 17-6 on Nov. 22 and 318 passing yards in a 17-13 win over Louisiana State University on Nov. 29.
Venables, though, understands moments like the Mateer-Sategna connection do not come often and that the offense needs more consistency.
"If you have a good pressure dialed up, ... and (a defender) to sack the quarterback and then faints and just falls to the ground and doesn't make the play, the sack, the quarterback is able to break free, and throws an 80-yard touchdown, (but) man, you you don't have those opportunities. They're just not endless."
