A bold prediction from an SEC expert: John Mateer outdoes Arch Manning

There's been a load of hype this offseason surrounding new Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, but it still doesn't compare to the propaganda down in Austin, Texas, for Arch Manning.

After making two starts last season while sitting behind Quinn Ewers, Manning has emerged as the Heisman Trophy favorite this preseason. One SEC expert, though, has more faith in Mateer, who also has Heisman odds.

SEC expert predicts Mateer to score more touchdowns than Manning

On his podcast, That SEC Podcast, Mike Bratton recently made what he deemed a bold prediction that Mateer would score more touchdowns than Manning during the 2025 college football season.

"I don't even know if this is a bold prediction -- I know it will be for you, I know it will be for seemingly everybody in the college football media, that I'm disgusted with," Bratton said. "But my bold prediction, Steven: John Mateer scores more touchdowns than Arch Manning. How bout it?

"I mean, come on. Is that even a bold prediction? I think the comments section will agree with me."

Manning in his career has 13 total touchdowns, all of which came last year when he was a redshirt freshman backup. Mateer, after one season as a sophomore starter and coming from the same class as Manning, has 47 career TDs. Mateer led all of FBS with 44 total touchdowns last season with 29 through the air and 15 on the ground at Washington State.

Mateer transferred to OU this past past winter, following his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to Norman. He'll enter fall camp as a lock to be the Sooners' QB1, as will Manning at Texas. However, despite being at an entirely new program, there's still more certainty about Mateer than Manning for 2025 despite the hype.

Bratton is correct in saying that his prediction really shouldn't be that bold. He bet on the more experienced and more proven quarterback. Yet, hype seems to prevail facts for most.

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