Joel Klatt's No. 9 Ranking For The Oklahoma Sooners Makes A Lot Of Sense

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FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt released his preseason top 25 and slotted Oklahoma at No. 9. It’s the same spot the Sooners landed in the coaches poll, and Klatt’s reasoning lines up with what most people who watch this team closely have been saying.

Here’s his full take from FOXSports.com:

No. 9 Oklahoma: "John Mateer is healthy, and when Mateer is healthy, he's one of the better players in the country. The problem with Oklahoma last year was that it couldn't run the football, and when you can't run the football, you can't protect your quarterback. Mateer can't do everything, as he physically broke down after carrying Oklahoma's offense in the opening weeks of the season.This is a team that plays great defense under Brent Venables. That was one of the best defenses in college football, but the offense was woefully short of that standard due to the Sooners' inability to run the football. If I'm an OU fan, I'm wondering if we can finally marry an elite defensive unit with an offense that can be at least OK."

Every bit of that is fair. Mateer showed early last season that he’s capable of playing at a high level. When he was healthy and rolling, he looked like one of the better quarterbacks in the country. The problem was everything around him. The run game never got going, the offensive line struggled to create consistent lanes or protection, and eventually the physical toll showed up. Mateer can’t be the entire offense. No quarterback can.

Klatt is also right about the defense. Brent Venables’ unit was excellent last year and could be even better with the experience coming back. 

That side of the ball is not the question. The question is whether the offense can get close enough to the defense’s standard so the whole team can take the next step.

The simplest way to look at it is this: if the defense is elite and the offense is just okay, Oklahoma can contend in the SEC and make another playoff run. If the defense is elite and the offense is actually good, then the Sooners have a real chance to play for a national championship. 

That’s the gap that has to close.

The run game and offensive line are still the biggest variables. Oklahoma averaged just 3.5 yards per carry last season. That number has to improve. New pieces, another year of experience up front, and a full offseason of emphasis on physicality are supposed to help, but it has to show up on Saturdays. If the line can open holes and keep Mateer cleaner in the pocket, everything else gets easier. Isaiah Sategna and the skill players will have more favorable looks, and the defense won’t be put in as many difficult spots.

One thing Klatt didn’t mention is the schedule. That’s fine. The schedule is tough, but it’s not an excuse. 

Oklahoma went 4-0 last November against a brutal stretch that included road wins at Alabama and Tennessee. That group showed it can handle hard games when it plays well. A similar stretch this year won’t be easy, but it’s also not something that should scare anyone if the Sooners are playing to their potential. Ten wins and another playoff appearance are realistic if the offense takes a step forward.

Klatt will get a close look at this team early. He’s on the call with Gus Johnson and Jenny Taft for Oklahoma’s road game at Michigan on FOX’s Big Noon Saturday. That will be one of the first real measuring sticks of the season.

The No. 9 ranking feels about right. It’s respectful of what Oklahoma has already shown and what it could be, without ignoring the clear issue that still has to be fixed. Mateer being healthy is a big deal. The defense should be excellent again. Now the offense has to catch up enough to make this a complete team. 

If it does, the Sooners will be right there in the conversation when it matters most.

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