3 stats Oklahoma needs to deliver vs. New Mexico to restore confidence in the offense

The confidence level among Sooner Nation in Oklahoma's offense seems to be back to zero after a disappointing showing against Michigan last week. It's obviously not the same level of competition against New Mexico, but the Sooners can still use just one more performance to restore that lost hope.

The No. 24 Sooners host 2-0 New Mexico at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Norman for a needed bounce-back game before SEC play kicks off next week with a trip to No. 2 Georgia. The reality is a simple win over a Mountain West foe won't and shouldn't have us believing again that the Sooners are title contenders.

But, there are some stats that I think if we see from OU against the Lobos, then we can at least have some confidence that Ben Arbuckle has things headed in the right direction.

20+ carries from a RB

Last week, the Sooners' running backs combined for 13 total carries among three players, while quarterback John Mateer had 13 rushing attempts by himself. Lloyd Avant led the backfield with nine carries for 35 yards, a week after getting 15 carries for 79 yards in the blowout against UTEP.

The backfield was actually picking up yards consistently before offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle forgot about his running backs, who are paid to rush the ball. The Sooners' 10-0 halftime deficit also wasn't enough to completely abandon the ground game.

Having no run game with a game plan fully reliant on Mateer was ultimately the Sooners' downfall against Michigan. To limit Mateer's inevitable mistakes and complement Brent Venables' elite defense, Arbuckle has to make running the ball the foundation of this offense.

If Avant, or even Xavier Robinson or a healthy Tory Blaylock, get 20+ carries, then that will be a sign that Arbuckle not only committed to the run game but a bell-cow back to lead the way. Running backs are paid to carry the football, so let them earn their paycheck.

60%+ completion percentage from John Mateer

This really isn't a high expectation, but it would still be a dramatic improvement from Mateer's abysmal 51.5% completion percentage a week ago against Michigan.

The Sooners are 2-3 in games in which Mateer had a completion percentage worse than 60%. The CFP loss to Alabama is the only time OU has lost when Mateer completed more than 60% of his passes. If that number gets bumped to 65%, the Sooners are unbeaten, but baby steps.

Mateer also threw five interceptions combined in those games in which he was below 60%. That obviously happens after enough inaccurate throws. His fourth-quarter pick against Michigan was ultimately the dagger after setting up the game-winning six-yard touchdown for the Wolverines.

Arbuckle has put the offense on Mateer's shoulders, but he needs to do the exact opposite. If the Sooners run the ball more to put the ball in Mateer's hands less, and he's at least average as a passer, then the Sooners can beat anybody in the country because of their defense.

4+ catches from Elijah Thomas

It feels like we've been believing this for two seasons now, but sophomore wide receiver Elijah Thomas is about to get his opportunity to break out.

Brent Venables revealed that Trell Harris will be out "for the foreseeable future," which could even be all season. Venables then specifically mentioned Thomas as a receiver the Sooners will need to rely on more with Harris sidelined.

Harris was the WR2 that OU brought in from Virginia to pair with returning top receiver Isaiah Sategna III. The Sooners also added Parker Livingstone from Texas, who seemed to be a clear WR3. Well, now Harris is injured and Livingstone has been a dud through two games.

If Thomas immediately gets four or more catches in his newly expanded role, then that means the Sooners are finally giving him a chance and will also be a sign that he could be the WR2 option after Sategna that OU needs.

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