On3 analyst reveals key for Oklahoma to win national title

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The Oklahoma Sooners have the makings of a legitimate national championship contender. One of the biggest questions for any team that has a chance at winning it all is health.

For Oklahoma, it is even more important as the Sooners saw how a season can change with a major injury just last season. Oklahoma's offense changed dramatically after star quarterback John Mateer suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

In the first four games, he threw for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns. Oklahoma was 4-0, Mateer was at the top of the Heisman race and they had an above-average offense.

However, after the injury, he threw for 1,670 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 241 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the final eight games of the season. The Sooners' offense regressed sharply and finished the season as one of the least efficient units in the country.

Despite that, Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff. That was a great season, given the circumstances, but if the Sooners want to be a legit contender, like many believe they are, On3's Kaiden Smith believes it's likely going to come down to Mateer's health.

"Healthy John Mateer, man, I think the ceiling is there," Smith said on the 'Hard Count.' "If he's, like you said, before Michigan John Mateer, is really making plays… I feel really good about them. I feel really good about him being a Heisman contender."

Oklahoma has already shown it can reach the College Football Playoff even when the offense is far from its best. But if the Sooners want to take the next step and compete for a national title, they will need a fully healthy Mateer throughout the season.

With him at full strength and a defense capable of carrying its weight, Oklahoma has the tools to finally turn championship potential into championship reality.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: On3 analyst reveals key for Oklahoma to win national title

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