There are many questions centered around the Oklahoma offense, especially after last Saturday's performance against Tennessee. While Michael Hawkins Jr. was officially named QB 1 over Jackson Arnold for the game at Auburn, a lot of position groups need to step up, and the offensive line should be at the top of the list.
Many national pundits called out Oklahoma's offensive game plan and Joel Klatt in particular described the Sooners' offensive film against Tennessee as "one of the worst he's seen" in some time. Klatt even went on to say that it's bigger than who the quarterback is and more of an offensive scheme issue.
While the RPO (run-pass option) philosophy can be highly effective, you need the quarterback to read the play well and the offensive line to be in sync and aware of how and who they need to block. In his recent press conference, Brent Venables said that they may need to simplify things in Seth Littrell's system, saying, "Sometimes it's complicated, but we could uncomplicate things."
There's that side of the coin and there's also the plain fact that Oklahoma's offensive line just got punched in the mouth on Saturday. The Tennessee defensive front is one of the best in all of the FBS, but there also wasn't much of a solid push up front against Houston or Tulane.
"It's very frustrating. Just some bad football. Some guys getting whooped and beat and not winning their matchups. Don't like that at all."Head coach Brent Venables
Oklahoma currently sits outside the top 100 in rushing yards per game (128.2) at 101st overall and only ran for 1.1 yards per rush against the Volunteers. The pass protection was also nonexistent, as every snap saw Arnold and Hawkins having to run for their lives. Hawkins was the leading rusher with 22 yards, and they came off him improvising on quarterback scrambles.
While previous offensive line units have improved throughout the season under Bill Bedenbaugh, this version just doesn't look like they'll gel as quickly. Despite picking up veteran transfers like Febechi Nawaiwu or Branson Hickman, the group just hasn't gotten it together, and it won't be getting easier with the daunting SEC schedule that lies ahead. As much as I'd like to be optimistic, I can't.
However, what many Oklahoma fans can be excited about is the potential Sooners' offensive line that could be shaping up in the coming years. Two names that'll be at the forefront of the position group are a couple of offensive tackles in five-star Michael Fasusi and four-star Ryan Fodje. Both players are 6-foot, 5-inch, 300-pounders from 6A high schools in Texas and they are heading to Norman in 2025. Pairing big and mobile offensive linemen from the jump with Bedenbaugh usually is a recipe for success.
I’M HOME. BOMMER SOONER‼️ pic.twitter.com/q2gsKhzJw2
— Michael Fasusi 🇳🇬 (@Michael_fasusi7) August 21, 2024
Additionally, there should be the development of interior linemen such as the raw and talented freshmen Eugene Brooks and Eddy Pierre-Louis. Jake Taylor and Heath Ozaeta are also players to watch and see how they grow within the system.
In an age where the transfer portal is accessible and easy at times to help your team, the process of building your players up from high school recruitment still goes a long way especially where the offensive line is concerned. That's not to say that a transfer pickup won't be helpful still this season or in the next couple of seasons, but there are few in the college game that can coach up offensive linemen like Bedenbaugh can.
Regardless, the 2024 version of the offensive line still has a shot to improve and changing the offensive philosophy could help, but it's going to take some time. We'll more than likley be looking at an elite Oklahoma defense that'll keep the Sooners in SEC contests throughout the season. But the future does look bright for the offensive line, and that's where it needs to start if Oklahoma is going to have a type of offense that resembles the past decade-plus.