Arch Manning's failures can help Oklahoma fans find appreciation for John Mateer

They say comparison steals your peace, but a look south of the Red River might actually restore it for Sooner Nation.

A chunk of Oklahoma fans this season have wanted a change at quarterback from John Mateer, and rightfully so at times. After seeing Mateer go head-to-head with Texas quarterback Arch Manning before Manning just fumbled away another game, though, it’s a little bit easier to appreciate what we have leading the Sooners.

Arch Manning fails again after John Mateer saved Red River Rivalry

A week after losing their No. 1 status because of a loss to OU in the Red River Rivalry, the No. 7 Longhorns just suffered another upset to unranked Florida in Austin by the same 27-24 score. Also again, Manning, once heralded as a future top overall NFL Draft pick, had the chance to win the game, but instead was responsible for the defeat.

Texas got the ball back with great field position on its own 46-yard line with 2:27 left. Manning trotted out there as the broadcast crew rambled about how Manning wanted another game-winning situation like this after failing a week earlier in Dallas.

Texas ran for a two-yard gain on the first play, but then Manning dropped back for a pass on 2nd-and-8 and was sacked. The ball fell from Manning’s hands, and Florida recovered it to take control and ultimately drain the clock to secure the upset, dropping the Longhorns to 4-2.

Manning finished the game completing 14 of his 20 passes for 173 yards and only one touchdown to one of the best wide receiver corps money can buy. He also rushed for zero yards on 10 attempts. Prized transfer addition Cam Coleman caught just three passes for 18 yards.

Texas losing already to another unranked team certainly makes the Sooners’ victory over them less impressive, but it’s a sufficient sacrifice to enjoy the misery of the Longhorns. Fans want Manning benched, and head coach Steve Sarkisian is on the hot seat, just barely over a week after Texas fans were taunting Sooner Nation over similar issues.

Last week, the Sooners seemed to be hopeless with a turnover-prone quarterback, but with the season back on track if OU beats No. 15 Kentucky later, the tables have turned, and life is much better north of the Red River.

Manning had the opportunity to become a Red River Rivalry hero last week, but that title belongs to Mateer instead.

Tied 24-24 with 54 seconds left, Manning took the field, with the options seeming to be either a game-winning play or overtime. But when Brent Venables dialed up pressure, Manning panicked and threw an interception to Courtland Guillory. Manning had also thrown a pick-six earlier in the fourth quarter.

The rest is now OU lore.

Still with full confidence in their QB1, the Sooners let Mateer go win the game with 19 seconds left from their own 39. Mateer completed a 13-yard pass to Isaiah Sategna, then fired an even more perfect 20-yard completion to Sategna right on the sideline.

Mateer then had the honor to square up the ball and take a knee to set up Tate Sandell’s 47-yard field goal as time expired. Thank goodness Mateer was in crimson.

Going into that game, it had been noted how similar the stats were between Mateer and Manning. It was mostly highlighted because, despite having nearly identical numbers, Manning was viewed as a Heisman Trophy candidate, while those same talking heads questioned why Mateer was still even the starter. Now, it's clear that OU fans would prefer what they already have with Mateer.

Mateer has his flaws, and OU fans sometimes want better with a high standard, but Sooner Nation still has it better than many other programs, including Texas.

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