Oklahoma's Fatal Flaw Was Finally Exposed in the Cotton Bowl

The next play, now a third-and-12, resulted in Mateer’s third interception. 

“At the end of the day, we didn't do what winning requires today,” offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. “We turned the ball over. We took some negative plays. We had self-inflicted wounds with penalties. We didn't do what winning required today. 

“And that's on us as coaches. It's on us as players. That's on us as an entire unit that we got to watch the film, be accountable to and respond the right way.”

The struggles to run the ball weren’t just an issue against Texas. 

OU did enough on the ground, mostly thanks to Mateer, to beat Michigan in Week 2. The Sooners also opened SEC play with a victory over Auburn, but that was despite only totaling 32 rushing yards. 

Last year’s historically bad offense averaged 4.0 yards per carry and 155.2 yards per game. 

This year, the Sooners are averaging 3.5 yards per carry and 122.3 rushing yards per game, and there aren’t any contests against defenses the caliber of Illinois State, Temple or Kent State left on the schedule.

Read More Oklahoma vs. Texas

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“We were not detailed enough today in all three phases,” right guard Febechi Nwaiwu said after the loss. “It starts with me jumping off sides. I have to be better for the team and the o-line. We all have to feel this loss and learn from it.

“… I think it’s the same thing, details. Everybody being on the same page. I think we can all do better getting a push on the O-line. I think details and getting a push on the O-line.”

Things were made even more difficult at the end of the first quarter. 

Right tackle Derek Simmons got rolled up on at the end of play, and with swing tackle Logan Howland out against Texas, the Sooners had to insert third-stringer Luke Baklenko into the game. 

Venables said it was too early to have an update on Simmons after the loss, but offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh may be forced into another lineup change on Saturday against South Carolina if the injury to Simmons costs him further game time. 

If the Sooners are unable to find any success on the ground, the full weight of the offense will remain on Mateer’s shoulders. 

Heaping that much pressure on one player isn’t generally a recipe for sustained success in the SEC — especially as Mateer works his way fully back up to speed after missing time with his hand injury.

“The ability to run the football,” said Venables, “when it is all said and done, you have to be able to do that consistently to win.”