The Oklahoma Sooners are preparing for their biggest test of the season as they travel to Athens, Ga., to take on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs. The Sooners enter the game as double-digit underdogs, looking to find some answers on offense.
Georgia is one of the most consistent programs of the last decade, winning 11 or more games eight of the last nine seasons. The one year they didn't was the COVID-shortened 2020 season, when they went 8-2. Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have only lost two games at home since his second year in Athens.
Oklahoma has a tall task in front of them. We've seen the Sooners rise to the occassion in difficult environments in the past. However, this is arguably the best team they've played since joining the SEC. The Sooners will
need to play their best game of the season to have a shot at pulling off the upset in Athens.
Here are this week's keys to the game.
1. Offensive Line Play
Brent Venables didn't mince words when asked about what has to improve for the Oklahoma Sooners this week against Georgia. He said the offensive line has to play better. And it does. Pass protection hasn't been terrible. John Mateer has had some time. But it hasn't been great. When opportunities have been available downfield, the offensive line has struggled to pick up blitzes to give Mateer enough time to get the ball down the field.
The biggest issue is the run game. The running backs don't have a lot of room to operate. Oklahoma's running game is averaging fewer yards per carry and yards per game than it did a year ago, when the Sooners finished 113th in the nation in yards per game.
If the Sooners want a shot against Georgia, the offensive line has to play much better.
2. Win the Turnover Battle
Oklahoma is minus-five in the turnover battle over the last two weeks. And the offense has struggled. The Sooners have had drives stall because of turnovers or just haven't been able to get into a rhythm because of turnovers. John Mateer is going to throw interceptions. He did at Washington State. But they need to throw "better interceptions" than they did against New Mexico.
Defensively, Oklahoma hasn't forced a turnover since Week 1. A great way to help the offense is to give them more possessions and put them in more favorable field position. If the defense can get a takeaway or two, they'll have a shot to win, especially if Mateer and the offense can protect the football.
You don't want to give the Georgia Bulldogs a short field.
3. Slow the Run Game
A couple of seasons ago, the Georgia Bulldogs didn't run the football very well. The Bulldogs finished No. 102 in the nation in rushing yards per game. Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo made the necessary adjustments to correct that issue. In 2025, Georgia finished No. 35 in rushing yards per game at 182.1. This season, the Bulldogs are averaging 253.3 yards per game, which is 16th in the nation. They're averaging 7.3 yards per carry, which is tied for No. 1 in college football.
The Sooners' defense has been good against the run under Brent Venables, and they'll need to be at their best this week against the Bulldogs.
Frazier is one of the best running backs in college football, and Stockton is able to make plays with his legs as well. The Sooners have had a hard time with running quarterbacks this season. Look for a heavy dose of read-option looks, testing the Sooners' eye discipline.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 Keys to the Oklahoma Sooners matchup vs. the Georgia Bulldogs
