Ben Arbuckle knows OU football offense needs to be better in 2026
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
NORMAN — Ben Arbuckle’s first season as OU football’s offensive coordinator was filled with ups and downs.
The Sooners managed to do enough to improve from last season and make a run to the College Football Playoff. But in other respects, Arbuckle’s offense left a lot of meat on the bone as far as the lofty goals entering the season.
“There’s going to be a lot of really good things to reflect on,” Arbuckle said immediately following OU’s 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the playoffs. “There’s going to be a lot of areas that we can develop and continue to get better and keep on pushing towards the standard, which is best.”
Arbuckle’s unit finished ranked 88th nationally, averaging 354.3 yards per game. And while they outgained the Crimson Tide, the Sooners offense sputtered throughout, making crucial mistakes or stalling out in inopportune moments.
Quarterback John Mateer threw a 50-yard pick-6 with 1:26 to go until halftime, which tied the game and swung the momentum in Alabama’s favor.
“When we needed to, we couldn’t pull one out like we have several other games this year,” coach Brent Venables said.
The running back situation, as well as Mateer undergoing surgery midseason and dealing with pain throughout, clearly didn’t help the offense.
But Arbuckle and Mateer also know the quarterback needs to be better with accuracy and decision-making in 2026 if he decides to run it back.
“There’s going to be a lot of good things to reflect upon and be able to reflect upon the unbelievable kids we get to work with, too, and keep finding ways to put them in positions to be successful,” Arbuckle said. “It starts with me, too. I’ve got to really sit back, dive in, look myself in the mirror and see exactly where I can help these young men continue to get better.”
On the bright side, Arbuckle should have better weapons to work with next season as OU’s attention shifts toward the transfer portal and building its roster. Offensive line, running back, tight end and wide receiver are positions of need and general manager Jim Nagy’s front office is expected to be aggressive in aiming to help the offense improve.
At the end of the day, the Sooners’ offense wasn’t consistent enough to pull its weight alongside Venables’ defense, one of the nation’s best.
One thing is clear: Arbuckle knows his offense didn’t live up to expectations in his first season and that he needs to be better.
“That’s a great question,” Arbuckle said when asked what he learned in Year 1. “The biggest lesson I have learned this year is to sit back and appreciate whenever you get to be around unbelievable young men, unbelievable players and you get to be around a staff that you really love spending time with.
“Guys who are all like-minded, guys who believe in Coach Venables’ mission — pull the rope in the same direction and attack every day for those incredible players that we get to coach. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned, is just really sit back and enjoy getting to be around such a special group of kids.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football OC Ben Arbuckle knows offense needs to be better
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos