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    • Our football quarterback Jackson Arnold could get a redshirt after losing his starting job
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    Our football quarterback Jackson Arnold could get a redshirt after losing his starting job

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

    NORMAN — OU quarterback Jackson Arnold started the season ranked in the top 20 according to BetMGM’s Heisman Trophy odds.

    As of the second weekend of the season, Arnold’s chances were the same as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s.

    Midway through the season, Jeanty is the Heisman Trophy favorite — just ahead of former Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel — while Arnold is the Sooners’ backup for now.

    Arnold’s struggles top the list of major disappointments in OU’s midseason report.

    In four starts, Arnold went 61 for 102 for 538 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions before being subbed just before halftime of the loss to Tennessee on September 21.

    Arnold’s early departure as the Sooners’ starter opened the door to the possibility that he could redshirt this season, giving him one year of eligibility, either at OU or if he decides to transfer.

    Sooners coach Brent Venables said Monday the possibility had been discussed.

    “It was discussed between us,” Venables said. “Jackson was told, ‘We put you in because we need your help to win.'”

    But, Venables said, the realities of college football won’t be ignored.

    “We’re definitely sensitive to everything,” Venables said. “We’re not sitting here with our heads in the sand or being naive.”

    With Arnold or Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback, the passing offense struggled.

    So far this season, the Sooners have not thrown for more than 186 yards in any game, averaging just 165.7 yards per game through the air.

    It is OU’s lowest passing offense over a period of six or more games since the final seven games of the 1998 season, when they averaged 106.1 passing yards per game, ending the John Blake era.

    The Sooners’ 165.7 passing yards per game are No. 123 out of 133 FBS teams. The only Power Four teams that fare worse are Houston (154.8), Iowa (134.7) and Michigan (115.0).

    Ahead of OU’s game against South Carolina on Saturday (11:45 a.m., SEC Network), here’s a look at the rest of the Sooners’ midseason report:

    More: OU Football Stock Report: Jacobe Johnson is on the rise for the Sooners in new dual role

    Offensive MVP: Deion Burks, WR

    Here’s a look at how bad the Sooners’ offense is: Deion Burks hasn’t played in the last two games, hasn’t had more than 80 yards in any game and is still OU’s leading receiver.

    Burks has 26 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns – the only player with multiple receiving touchdowns.

    Only one other player – tight end Bauer Sharp – has more than 20 catches.

    Defensive MVP: Robert Spears-Jennings, S

    There are a few candidates here, but Spears-Jennings has been the most consistent playmaker on a defense that has largely held up, even as the offense has made life much more difficult.

    According to Pro Football Focus, Spears-Jennings is OU’s second-highest scoring defender and best among players who have played at least 120 games with a grade of 83.6.

    He has 40 tackles, two sacks, one interception and has forced three fumbles.

    Spears-Jennings narrowly edged out linebacker Danny Stutsman, defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive lineman Gracen Halton.

    More: OU Football Bowl Predictions 2024: Where will the Sooners be in Week 8?

    Biggest disappointment: The offensive line

    There are plenty of opportunities for the Sooners to improve on offense.

    The wide receiver corps has taken hit after hit and is missing its top five options, but there is at least a chance to get some of these players back in the not-too-distant future.

    Quarterback play has been inconsistent, but at least there is a chance for Michael Hawkins Jr. to continue to develop as a rookie.

    The running game wasn’t good at all, but freshman Taylor Tatum had his moments, and Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk have at least shown the ability to be explosive in their careers, despite largely lacking explosiveness.

    The offensive line was certainly a problem early this season, but it struggled more than most would have imagined.

    The group had to deal with injuries to Branson Hickman, Jake Taylor, Geirean Hatchett and others and couldn’t find much cohesion.

    This has led to a lack of holes in the running game and quarterbacks not having much time to find targets downfield.

    More: Why OU football coach Brent Venables isn’t big on midseason personnel changes

    Most Improved Offensive Player: None

    The reality is harsh: There are no offensive starters who have shown significant improvement compared to last season.

    Running back Jovantae Barnes might be the closest thing to a worthy candidate after he had 37 rushes for 140 yards due to a foot injury a season ago.

    Barnes has 237 yards per carry so far this season, but his yards per carry are down significantly from last season (3.8 to 3.3 yards per carry), making it difficult to place him in that category.

    Most Improved Defensive Player: R Mason Thomas, DE

    Perhaps it’s not the biggest improvement so much as the ability to stay healthy for extended periods of time, but Thomas has been the Sooners’ most disruptive defensive lineman so far, with a team-high 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

    The junior is a big reason the Sooners are ranked in the top 10 nationally with 3.17 sacks per game.

    Overall MVP: Luke Elzinga, P

    Elzinga has been fantastic since taking over the Sooners’ punter position midway through last season.

    This season he is averaging 46.1 yards per punt, with 16 of his 35 punts coming inside 20 yards and 13 punts of 50 yards or more for a length of 63.

    OU vs. South Carolina

    START: 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman (SEC Network)

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    Madoc Meredith
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