Quarterback Jackson Arnold directs No. 22 Auburn in a face-off against his previous squad, No. 11 Oklahoma.
On Saturday, the Auburn Tigers will face off against No. 11 Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, with a significant matchup between two former teammates at the heart of the action.
Jackson Arnold, now quarterback for the Tigers, and John Mateer, Oklahoma's current signal-caller, will square off in a highly anticipated clash. The duo played in the same district during their high school days, but this will be their first meeting as college quarterbacks.
Arnold, who was Oklahoma's quarterback for much of last season, transferred to Auburn in the offseason as the Sooners made offensive changes, bringing in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer. Meanwhile, Mateer began his college career at Washington State before transferring to Oklahoma this offseason.
Coach Brent Venables of the Sooners spoke about Arnold, stating that he isn't much different as a player than he was a year ago. Venables also noted the numerous injuries the Sooners suffered on offense a season ago, particularly among the receiver group.
Despite the challenges, Arnold has had a strong start to the season, throwing for 501 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions while running for 192 yards and four touchdowns. His counterpart, Mateer, has also impressed, throwing for 944 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 161 yards and four scores.
Both Arnold and Mateer are undefeated through three games this season, with Auburn seeking their first 4-0 start since 2019. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is fourth nationally, allowing just 181 yards per game and has only conceded one touchdown and 27 first downs through three games.
Hugh Freeze, coach of Auburn, spoke about the challenges Arnold faces Saturday as he played for Ole Miss in 2021 and coached against them with Liberty. Freeze also had high praise for Mateer, commenting on his performance.
The Sooners' defense has been a significant strength this season, but they will face a formidable challenge in Auburn's running game. Jeremiah Cobb, Auburn's running back, has rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns.
Oklahoma won last year's matchup against Auburn and leads the all-time series 2-0. However, the Tigers will be eager to turn the tables and secure a victory on Saturday. The game promises to be a thrilling contest between two talented teams and their quarterbacks with personal connections.
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