Norman, Oklahoma, is bracing for a heavyweight return bout. The No. 22 Auburn Tigers and No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners are up for a top-25 matchup. And perhaps, the biggest storyline is on Jackson Arnold’s homecoming. This is the first time the former Sooners quarterback will jog out of the tunnel at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium wearing enemy colors. But studies have shown that Hugh Freeze’s prized QB might be at a disadvantage against Brent Venables here.

On September 17, Next Round Live posted an excerpt from their conversation with Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt, who broke down the upcoming Auburn vs. Oklahoma game. “The number one thing that Auburn has to do is take away the running backs for Oklahoma,” he advised. “And then early in that game, I think that you’ve got to be able to defend on the edge.” But he also thinks Jackson Arnold is walking into a trap. “Venables and that defense and that staff, more importantly, it’s not just that they get to study Jackson Arnold for the last couple of years,” he added. “They know intimately what he struggles with intimately. In fact, it drove them nuts, right?” Lack of confidence, wasn’t it?

Joel Klatt had more to say. “My fear for Auburn though, is this seems like a game that could be a fairly evenly matched game. And I think they’re both good teams,” he said. “And generally games like that guys come down to quarterback play. Like who are you taking a quarterback in this game?” Jackson Arnold’s efficiency looks sharp with a 70% completion rate, 501 passing yards, four touchdowns, zero turnovers. But the deeper numbers show a safer QB. He’s averaging just 167 passing yards per game, leaning on Auburn’s ground game and offensive line to keep things controlled. Against Brent Venables’ defense, that safety net won’t last.

And here’s where Oklahoma’s true advantage lies. They have three years of practices, scrimmages, and real-time breakdowns of what the Tigers’ QB struggles with. That kind of insider knowledge is brutal in a game that figures to come down to execution in the final minutes. Auburn can only scheme so much. Eventually, Arnold will have to face the ghosts he left behind in Norman. This is where Coach Freeze needs his QB to stretch beyond comfort, because the Sooners’ defense will test every seam.

Brent Venables’ surprising show of loyalty

When asked about his former QB this week, Brent Venables didn’t take the easy road. He didn’t downplay Jackson Arnold or fuel bulletin-board material. Instead, he backed him. “I think he’s the same guy,” the OU HC said. “I think he’s got a healthy football team around him, and he’s having great success running, throwing, being really efficient, and he’s taking care of the ball.” Pressed further, he didn’t blink. 

Brent Venables reminded everyone that Jackson Arnold’s struggles weren’t all on the QB. “The only thing I wish was different was we had a healthy football team,” he added. “A lot of it was out of our control.” That’s the twist in all this. The Sooners HC could’ve slammed the door. Instead, he doubled down on loyalty. But still, the Oklahoma staff still knows every wart in their former QB’s game. That’s the real concern brewing in Norman.

So, is this Jackson Arnold’s revenge tour or a reminder that Oklahoma was right to move on? One way or another, Saturday will give us answers, and the QB who handles the pressure will dictate the headline.