What happened to Oklahoma’s physical dominance? The Sooners, a program built on a legacy of punishing rushing attacks, have seen their identity at the line of scrimmage crumble. The recent Cotton Bowl collapse wasn’t a one-game failure; it was the predictable result of a five-year systemic decay that began long before the move to the SEC.
This video is a deep dive into the anatomy of that decline. Using advanced data like Predicted Points Added (PPA) and Success Rate, we uncover the uncomfortable truth about how the foundation of the Oklahoma offense began to crack during the final years of the Lincoln Riley era and was shattered by coaching instability under Brent Venables. We go beyond the box score to analyze the root causes—from subtle shifts in recruiting to the revolving door of offensive coordinators that made consistent development impossible.
Join us as we chart the fall of a rushing dynasty and explore the crucial question: can it be rebuilt?
IN THIS VIDEO, WE’LL COVER:
The Golden Era (0:55): A look back at the 2018 Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line that set the standard for modern dominance.
The First Cracks (4:10): How data shows the decline began in 2020-2021 with disruptions in coaching and player personnel.
The Revolving Door (8:30): Analyzing how three offensive coordinators in three years (Lebby, Littrell, Arbuckle) prevented any chance of stability.
The “Mateer Paradox” (11:15): A deep dive into how a failed run game creates the exact defensive scheme that neutralizes QB John Mateer’s greatest strengths and exposes his biggest weakness.
A Path Forward? (14:45): Examining if new OC Ben Arbuckle and the historic 2025 recruiting class, led by 5-star Michael Fasusi, can finally fix the problem.
If you enjoy data-driven analysis of Oklahoma Sooners football, be sure to LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an upload!
Let us know in the COMMENTS below: What do you think is the biggest reason for the decline?
#OklahomaSooners #BoomerSooner #CollegeFootball #SEC #OUDNA #OffensiveLine
10 Comments
I’d ditch the music
Love the music in the background. Do you. Great content
Them guys that won the joe moore were not highly recruited. They wasnt a four star on that line. Smh
The numbers show Tory B is producing the most but yet they try to mix it up with multiple RB says they don't care.
In all fairness Joe Moore award was in Big 12
In all fairness Joe Moore award was in Big 12
I largely agree with your analysis, there are a few things to consider.
Defenses can’t play a light box with a healthy John Mateer. But Mateer wasn’t healthy. When I watched the Red River game I thought that the receivers were covered up, just as you are suggesting. But when you watch on the all-22 you’ll see that they were often wide open. John just didn’t see them.
Stats lie but film doesn’t. You have no choice but to compile the stats in every throw. While Mateer has absolutely made bad throws, several of them were receivers running the wrong routes. The best example is his interception to the tight end, who should have ran a skinny post (he bent in too much) based on the position of the safety, which is where John threw it.
Regarding the Texas game, he shouldn’t have been playing at all with over 2 weeks of not touching the ball post hand surgery. He lacked rhythm, vision, and zip and accuracy that he normally has. Again you have to include his performance in the stats, but the stats can’t explain that Mateer was recovering from surgery. Stats lie but film doesn’t.
The problem is the lack of stability: massive initial player exodus staff turnover, injuries, and Demarco Murray.
Make no mistake, we are still feeling the effects of t Lincoln Riley
Great video but yes I would prefer no music just honest feedback great video still!!
Id point to the date of Cale Gundy's idiotic firing in '22 when we were on the rebound and then nose dived again, but the entire program's energy was wiped out post Gundy. Demarco is an elite recruiter and dogshhh developer/manager. Gundy was an elite recruiter, developer, and coordinator. Cale was Stoops' magic weapon having coached multiple rooms and helping to land our best talent no matter their position. Demarco brought NOTHING to our coaching staff and chaos in RB developmentand schedules.
I truly believe he's an absolute MORON as a coach, and there's no evidence to say otherwise…We lost a key contributor for our program in ways Demarco could only dream of when he replaced Cale. He's clearly out of his league and unqualified for his position. Shouldve left us with his playing field memories and not whatever he is doing to our RB room/game…
Dude please stop talking you're trying to make trouble Oklahoma is going in the right direction