Oklahoma football news: Key John Mateer protector returning vs. Michigan
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The Oklahoma Sooners beat UTEP 51-0 in Week 1 and have bigger fish to fry this week on the road in Ann Arbor, Michigan, against the Wolverines. Michigan’s pass rush looked strong against Western Michigan in Week 1, which could prevent star quarterback John Mateer from having the “clean” game he had vs. the Miners.
On Friday, the Sooners got good news on the injury front as ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared an update on one of the offensive line’s biggest difference-makers, Jake Maikkula, ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game.
“Sources: Oklahoma starting center Jake Maikkula (knee) will return and start for the Sooners at center at Michigan this week,” Thamel said. “His return means that true freshman Noah Best, who started last week at center, will kick over to right guard.
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“Starting LT Michale Fasusi (shoulder) will miss the game, and Ryan Fodje will return from injury to start at left tackle (he missed the UTEP game).”
Michigan sacked Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry twice last week as young pass rushers Dominic Nichols and Nate Marshall were both fixtures in the Broncos’ backfield throughout the day. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood has been widely panned for his 170-yard performance last week, one year removed from a rough outing as a freshman in Norman, Oklahoma against the Sooners in 2025.
Last year, Mateer easily outdueled Underwood while staking his claim for Heisman consideration with 270 passing yards, 74 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Mateer recently got 2026 Heisman hype from a former NFL quarterback, adding to expectations ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Ann Arbor.
With Maikkula and his 31 games of experience back, the interior of the offensive line appears solid for Mateer and his teammates. Avoiding the rush and making big plays the way he did in last season’s game, will be key for Mateer and the Sooners in the biggest game of the young season so far.
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