Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma fans see right through the early Jackson Arnold hype at Auburn

That was exactly what we've seen before.
ByDekota Gregory|
Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Running back, I mean quarterback, Jackson Arnold is still the same player Oklahoma football fans knew he was.

The Auburn Tigers handled the Baylor Bears 38-24 on Friday night in Arnold's debut with his new team after transferring from OU this past offseason. Arnold's performance, mostly on the ground, had social media buzzing throughout and afterward, but Sooner Nation, after already seeing the same thing for a season, saw right through the inflated hype as most blamed the Sooners for Arnold's shortcomings.

Jackson Arnold runs wild in Auburn debut

There's no arguing Arnold was fantastic running the ball. He had two long touchdown runs and was willing to put his body on the line all night. He finished as the Tigers' leading rusher with 137 yards on a whopping 16 carries with those two trips to the end zone.

However, Arnold's rushing stats covered up what he did as a passer. Arnold completed just 11 passes for 108 measly yards and no TDs. He had only two completions for over 20 yards.

Sooner Nation witnessed last season Arnold lead OU to a 24-3 upset over Alabama. Arnold was celebrated after the victory, but OU fans knew the reality of that not always being a winning formula.

Arnold again was mostly used as another running back with a team-high 25 carries and 131 yards, compared to nine competitions for 68 yards. Teams at OU haven't won games with just 68 passing yards since Barry Switzer was running the Wishbone.

It was said all offseason that Arnold just needed to escape Oklahoma to reach his potential as a former five-star recruit. The Sooners were the problem, not Arnold. OU certainly plopped Arnold in a tough situation, but maybe actually both were at fault.

Regardless, after just one game with Auburn, doing the same thing he did at OU, Arnold has national media screaming Heisman Trophy candidate and comparing him to Cam Newton. But those familiar with this plot, with the random backward pass when under pressure and never looking downfield, know exactly the hype these others are buying into. But Sooner Nation has already sold its Jackson Arnold stock.

Read more about OU football

Home/OU Football