Oklahoma is off to a fairy tale start with 4 wins and no losses. They look every bit of a top-10 team with John Mateer at the center of it all. The dual-threat QB has set the tone for an offense that is balanced and efficient. Throughout four games, Mateer has logged 1215 passing yards and 190 rushing yards and is fresh off a 271‑yard passing, 29‑yard rushing, two‑TD day in a 24‑17 win over Auburn. Oklahoma’s defense has complemented Mateer’s poise at every step of the way, and the Sooners have climbed to No.7 in the AP polls. Now they’ve a bye and Kent State next.

But the calendar is about to bite back, though, and Mateer is all in for it. After the Bye and Kent State, the Red River showdown arrives with Texas on October 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. That’s the point from which things will get extra serious. And on that pretext, ESPN analyst Joey Galloway teed up the obvious question to the Texas native of what it means to take the Longhorns in their state. 

Mateer answered it with his usual calm and composed persona as he said, “It’s gonna be cool. I really only went to the game one time… So I haven’t really experienced it. The only game I went to was a COVID game, so there wasn’t a whole lot of people there. So the atmosphere is going to be awesome.” The atmosphere is for sure going to be electric, and to tackle that, a former Sooner has already prepped Mateer. 

“Jalen Hurts actually told me this.” He said, “Just take it in on your own with your own opinion and your own likes; don’t listen to what everybody else says. Don’t take their opinion for it. Just take it all in as a player.” Mateer continued. Hurts has seen it all. In his sole season as a Sooner, he went off and destroyed teams like they were nothing. He has his fair share of experience in playing away games. So yeah, Mateer is learning from one of the masters of the craft. And that is exactly the mindset that has led Oklahoma to dominate this far. Blocking out the outside noise, focusing on what they want to do. They’ve beaten ranked Michigan and ranked Auburn, and haven’t really struggled much throughout the season.

But the game against Texas and the games that follow Texas are a different test altogether. After Texas, the Sooners are set for six ranked showdowns: Ole Miss (No. 13), at Tennessee (No. 15), at Alabama (No. 17), Missouri (No. 20), LSU (No. 4). The Sooners, though, look healthy and have the quarterback, the defense, and the control to run that table because the recipe of dominance is still with them. If Mateer keeps chanting Jalen Hurts’ message, then Oklahoma has no ceiling on how far their campaign can go in 2025.

John Mateer is at the forefront of the Heisman contenders

Sometimes the Heisman swings with the vibes as much as it does with the volume. And the perfect example of this is John Mateer. He has separated from the pack and is now leading the Heisman conversation. It is interesting to note that Carson Beck has guided Miami to a comfortable rivalry win, but has still seen his odds drift while Mateer stacked a high-leverage win against Auburn. Mateer’s stretch of 4 wins has shifted the conversation from his being a potential Heisman candidate to a Heisman favorite.

And the trait that is powering this surge is his dual-threat rhythm and decision-making that keeps Oklahoma at the forefront of the offense. The junior has answered every tight window, hitting defenses when they blink and not sparing any unforced errors. Mateer’s resume has both the numbers and the eye test certificate to make him +700 and lead the Heisman race.

But the race is still crowded. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is just sneaking up to being Mateer with video game efficiency that has vaulted him to the 2nd spot, having 9-1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, per BetMGM. But Mateer’s path has checked every Heisman box. There is still a long way to go in the season, but as of now, everything seems to be going well for Mateer and Oklahoma. Let’s see if they can keep the same momentum as the schedule ramps up.