Heather Dinich weighs how John Mateer injury impacts Oklahoma CFP odds, compares to past Ohio State and Florida State cases

The John Mateer injury could certainly impact Oklahoma when it comes to the College Football Playoff race. The star QB could miss at least three weeks due to a hand injury, per SoonerScoop. 

Sitting at 4-0 and No. 7 in the latest AP Poll, Oklahoma has been rolling. But, how they operate without Mateer remains to be seen.

As ESPN’s Heather Dinich broke it down, the timing could be a little fortuitous. Oklahoma has a bye week and then take on Kent State before getting back into SEC play.

“Well, the good news for Oklahoma is that the selection committee’s first ranking doesn’t come out until November 4th. So the timing here is of the essence,” Dinich said on Get Up. They do have a bye week, then they have Kent State, then they got South Carolina. If they can get hum back for half the schedule, every single opponent that they will face is right. But remember, the selection committee’s protocol requires the group to consider factors like injuries to key players. 

“We saw this in 2014 Ohio State, they won with their third string quarterback. We also saw this with Florida State, which did not get in as an undefeated ACC champ because of its backup quarterback. So how does he look when he returns? And what exactly is the timing? That’s unclear. It will all play into this election day process.”

2014 Ohio State, for what it’s worth, saw QB Braxton Miller go down prior to the start of tne season, paving way for JT Barrett. Barrett led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record in the regular season, but was replaced by Cardale Jones in the Michigan game in the regular season finale due to injury.

John Mateer injury hurting CFP chances for Oklahoma?

Trying to liken Mateer’s injury to that scenario might be a little off considering Jones led a blowout win the Big Ten Championship and then two wins in the first CFP to win it all. For Florida State the other year, QB Jordan Travis was lost in the season finale and FSU lost the ACC Championship Game the next week with a backup QB.

Dinich excluded the Texas game, so that should be noted. Following the Kent State game, Oklahoma will take on the Longhorns in their Red River Rivalry and it remains to be seen if Mateer will be available.

Safe to say, it would not be too surprising to see the Sooners drop two of their next three games before hosting Ole Miss on October 25. You can make the College Football Playoff with two losses, but that’ll be a precarious post for Oklahoma without Mateer.

Michael Hawkins Jr. will take the reins at QB until Mateer is back. Hawkins played seven games for the Sooners last season, totaling 783 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 204 yards and one touchdown.

“We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers,” head coach Brent Venables said. “He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I’m proud of the work Michael’s put in and the progress he’s made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team.”