Oklahoma Sooners news: New CFP rankings, John Mateer on NFL future and more

New CFP rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners stayed put at No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings that were released Tuesday evening. That left them in the exact position as last week potentially hosting No. 9 Notre Dame in Norman in the first round if the season ended today, which it obviously doesn't, so OU still isn't guaranteed to host anything. In fact, the Sooners still need to beat LSU on Saturday to make sure they get in.

John Mateer on NFL future

As a redshirt junior, OU quarterback John Mateer has the option to enter the NFL Draft after this season. He could also return to Oklahoma or transfer somewhere else. First, though, Mateer made it clear this week that he's worrying about the Tigers and what might be beyond that before worrying about NFL possibilities.

"Not really," Mateer said of thinking about his NFL future. "I mean, we got the most important game of the year coming up because it's the next one. It's not even -- like if I put energy into that (decision), it'll be less energy for this, and these guys deserve everything I have."

Jovantae Barnes update

OU senior running back Jovantae Barnes has played in only four games this season while battling an injury and slipping down the depth chart, which means a redshirt and transferring elsewhere after the season is still on the table, and likely. OU head coach Brent Venables didn't admit any details about Barnes' specific situation when asked, but he also didn't deny the possibility while detailing how he handles similar situations in today's college football.

"At the end of the day, we have a different environment that's not the player's fault," Venables said. "They have lots of different options now, and so I look at it with that lens, as well. Can't blame guys for wanting a little more of this or that and looking out for their futures.

"I don't think it's necessarily a selfish trait, but we've created an environment that has some selfishness to it, from an environment standpoint. My job's to make sure that things are not a distraction and people are contributing and working and showing up with a diligent mindset and work ethic and things of that nature. As long as those things are good, I'm pretty capiche about all of it."