After a near century of competing in the Big 12, formerly the Big 8, Big 7, and Big 6, Oklahoma football joined the SEC starting in 2024. On the heels of a double-digit winning season in 2023, the Oklahoma Sooners posted a 3-0 record in non-conference play, with the now-SEC squad earning a respectable spot in the AP Poll ahead of their home clash against top-ranked Tennessee this weekend. On Saturday, Tennessee gave Oklahoma a rude welcome to the hyper-competitive SEC, beating them 25-15.
The final score only tells part of the story, with Tennessee dominating OU before the Sooners scored ten of the game’s final 13 points. Tennesse’s defense was so chaotic that Oklahoma football starting quarterback Jackson Arnold found himself riding the pine in the second half in favor of true freshman passer Michael Hawkins. Oklahoma’s abysmal offensive showing has the OU faithful worried about the team’s future outlook in their newest conference.
Oklahoma Football Fans Worried After Brutal Offensive Outing
According to John “J.D.” Dunn of The All Vol Call-in Show:
(6)Tennessee welcomes (15)Oklahoma to the SEC with a loss in its first-ever conference game, 25-15. Tennessee’s defense held the Oklahoma offense to just 36 yards rushing and just 222 yards overall, forcing two fumbles with one interception. The win over Oklahoma is Tennessee’s first win in a true road game against a top-15 opponent since 2006.
Saturday’s loss against the Tennessee Volunteers got off to a nightmarish start for Oklahoma football, with the offense accumulating just 43 yards across the team’s first three drives. Quarterback Jackson Arnold also tossed an interception, his first of three turnovers. After a made field goal late in the first quarter, Oklahoma’s offense imploded, fumbling twice, allowing a safety, and punting twice. Arnold was in constant duress behind a patchwork offensive line, routinely making bad decisions while facing constant pressure.
Head coach Brent Venables turned to true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins late in the second quarter, with the former three-star prospect using his legs to evade UT defenders. He finished with 12 rushes for 22 yards while going 11-of-18 for 132 yards and a score. Oklahoma will have a week to determine if Hawkin or fellow freshman Jackson Arnold (five-star recruit in the 2023 class) is the answer under center going forward. However, one thing is for sure: the offensive line struggled, OU allowed three turnovers, and the team couldn’t run the ball, leaving their fans desperate for answers following the loss:
Well, if you were wondering who has the best defense in the SEC, it’s Oklahoma.
The positions our offense put them in, and to only give up 25 to that offense is wild.
Hawkins earned the Auburn start tn.#OUDNA #Sooners #Boomer
— Chad P. Smith (@ChadPSmith_) September 22, 2024
In bed final game thoughts:
– Hawkins is QB1 now, sorry Arnold.
– Health… for the love of God get healthy.
– Season is no where near over.
– If Oklahoma can get a competent offense, not even good, they are a playoff team
– This defense might be best in the nation.
— Brewer Sooner (@BrewerSooner) September 22, 2024
I’m afraid my Oklahoma Sooners made a mistake on Dillon Gabriel and Jackson Arnold. pic.twitter.com/1AB5juhWg3
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 22, 2024
The defense did everything they could have possibly done to keep us in the game. The offense was a complete joke. #Oklahoma #Sooners pic.twitter.com/x8xtHKI9TG
— Coy Hawkins (@hawkins_coy) September 22, 2024
Everyone talking about Arnold, this o line is the worst in school history, they are God awful
— Brent venables stan 🏴☠️ (@SroufeRyker) September 22, 2024
Fire Seth Littrell
— Tristan White (@TristanWhiteWx) September 22, 2024
How did this staff watch these two QBs play and decide Arnold was the starter. How?! It’s not even close. We win this game if Hawkins was the starter. Period.
— Brandon Talbert (@btalbertOK) September 22, 2024
Michael Hawkins is QB1. I will stand on the fact that Jackson Arnold has zero dog in him, respectfully.
— the dove (@THEAMERICANDOVE) September 22, 2024
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