One upset win over Alabama may have launched Brent Venables’ crew from outside the CFP bubble into first-round host territory. But nothing about Oklahoma’s final stretch is built for comfort. On Wednesday’s SEC Availability Report, the Sooners’ star defensive end R Mason Thomas was initially listed as “questionable” for Saturday. But then came the hammer for Week 13. 

“Sources: Oklahoma star defensive end R Mason Thomas is not expected to play against No. 22 Missouri, with a final decision coming at game-time,” Pete Thamel reported on X on November 21. “He’s still recovering from a quad injury suffered on a fumble return against Tennessee.”

Oklahoma climbed three spots in the rankings after that 23-21 brawl in Tuscaloosa, positioning themselves for their first playoff appearance since 2019. But to stay alive, Brent Venables and his team need two more wins and neither Missouri nor the finale offers breathing room for a team suddenly limping into the finish line. Because the biggest bruise is on their defensive front.

R Mason Thomas hasn’t been right since that 71-yard scoop-and-score against Tennessee on Nov. 1. What looked like a routine quad tweak turned into a lingering setback that robbed the Sooners of their most explosive edge presence. His absence is about losing the tone-setter who dictates blocking schemes, collapses pockets, and forces QBs into bad decisions.

Even after missing most of the last two games, the senior captain still leads Oklahoma with 6.5 sacks, 23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. R Mason Thomas’ absence means Taylor Wein and Marvin Jones Jr. likely get the nod again. And unfortunately for OU, Missouri is rolling in like it wants to avenge last year’s SEC debut showdown.

To make matters trickier, he’s not the only one hurting. Cornerback Gentry Williams and RB Jovantae Barnes were also downgraded to doubtful. Three offensive linemen, Troy Everett, Jake Taylor, and Jacob Sexton are already ruled out. So what happens when Oklahoma’s depth gets stretched even thinner? Trouble. Because just as the Sooners brace for a long Saturday, Missouri walks in with a clean bill of health at the position that matters most.

Brent Venables’ limping squad meets Missouri’s full strength 

Missouri, ranked No. 22, now has the perfect upset recipe. Oklahoma is without their defensive heartbeat, and the Tigers got their QB1 back. Beau Pribula who disappeared from the lineup after a lower-leg injury against Vanderbilt was nowhere to be found on Friday’s availability report. That means he’s good to go, and Missouri suddenly regains its offensive heartbeat. The QB has completed 69.6% of his passes for 1,685 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven picks, enough to punish a defense missing its premier pass-rusher. 

For the Sooners, the backfield remains a mystery. RBs Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock weren’t on the injury report, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re full speed. The former returned after a scare against Alabama but wasn’t the same runner late. Brent Venables knows the offense will be patched together by committee.

“It’s going to be tested, no question,” he said. “So hopeful we can stay healthy and we’re probably going to spread it out a little more to kind of manage the next few weeks.”

Old rivals, new stakes. Kickoff is 11 a.m. Saturday on ABC from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Missouri won last season’s meeting 30-23, and oddsmakers like the Tigers at +7.5. With no SEC title hopes for either team, the only thing left is survival and Oklahoma’s margin just got thinner.