In a season filled with offensive struggles and quarterback uncertainty, the Oklahoma Sooners are turning to a familiar face to right the ship. Head coach Brent Venables announced Monday night that sophomore Jackson Arnold will start at quarterback when the Sooners visit No. 18 Ole Miss on Saturday, a decision that could have major implications for OU’s hopes of turning around a disappointing campaign.
Arnold Returns to the Spotlight
Arnold, a former five-star recruit, began the season as Oklahoma’s starter but was benched during the Sooners’ Week 4 loss to Tennessee. He had not appeared in a game since September 21 before coming off the bench last Saturday to replace struggling freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. in a 35-9 defeat to South Carolina.
Despite the loss, Arnold showed flashes of the talent that made him such a highly touted prospect, completing 18 of 36 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown. His performance was apparently enough to convince Venables and the coaching staff that he deserves another chance to lead the offense.
“Jackson has worked hard and stayed ready for his opportunity,” a source close to the program told us. “The coaches believe he gives the team the best chance to win right now.”
A Tough Test Awaits
Arnold’s first start since being benched won’t be an easy one. The Sooners travel to face an Ole Miss team that boasts one of the nation’s most fearsome pass rushes, with 24 sacks through eight games. The Rebels’ defense will undoubtedly be licking their chops at the prospect of facing an Oklahoma offensive line that has struggled mightily this season.
Making matters worse, the Sooners could be without two of their top weapons in the passing game. Leading receiver Deion Burks is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, while Jalil Farooq, who has not played since Week 1, remains several weeks away from a potential return.
Offensive Overhaul
The quarterback change is just one part of a larger offensive shakeup for Oklahoma. On Sunday, Venables fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell after just seven games, a stunningly quick hook for a coach who was a splashy offseason hire. Under Littrell’s direction, the Sooners ranked dead last in the SEC in several key categories:
- Rushing yards per game (112.1)
- Third-down conversion rate (27.5%)
- First downs gained (120)
Co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley will take over playcalling duties on an interim basis, while former Duke offensive coordinator Kevin Johns has been promoted to co-OC and quarterbacks coach. The new brain trust will be tasked with jumpstarting a unit that has looked lost for much of the season.
Last Chance for Sooners?
At 4-3 overall and just 1-3 in conference play, Oklahoma’s margin for error is razor-thin. A loss to Ole Miss would all but eliminate the Sooners from SEC title contention and could put their bowl hopes in serious jeopardy.
For Jackson Arnold, this weekend presents an opportunity for redemption. If he can recapture the form that made him such a tantalizing prospect and lead Oklahoma to an upset victory, it would go a long way toward validating Venables’ decision and potentially altering the trajectory of the Sooners’ season.
But if Arnold struggles and OU suffers another defeat, the questions about Venables, his staff, and the overall direction of the program will only grow louder. In a proud football program accustomed to competing for championships, patience is already wearing thin.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Oklahoma and its sophomore signal-caller. Will Jackson Arnold rise to the occasion and kick-start a storybook turnaround, or will the Sooners sink further into the abyss of a lost season? The college football world will be watching intently to find out.
