Jackson Arnold believes Oklahoma reaching bowl eligibility would 'be huge'

Jackson Arnold has designs on leading Oklahoma to a bowl game, but the 5-5 Sooners face a tough path if they’re going to get the job done.

Nobody ever said playing in the SEC would be easy, and it certainly hasn’t been for Arnold and company. The Oklahoma starting quarterback was benched earlier this season, and now he’s preparing to lead the team against Alabama in Norman in a highly anticipated showdown.

A win would mean Oklahoma is going bowling. A loss would mean they have to defeat the LSU Tigers during the final week of the season to get there. Arnold knows what’s on the line, and how much it would mean to his teammates, as well as Sooners fans, if they were able to get it done.

“It’d be huge,” Arnold said, regarding what a sixth win and reaching bowl-eligibility would mean for Oklahoma. “A lot of people are probably saying this team has nothing left to play for, but I mean, really, a bowl game is huge.

“Spending an extra month with the guys, the seniors that are going to leave, it’s big. It’s big for those guys, it’s big for people who haven’t even been to a bowl game yet, like our freshman. Just being able to be a part of that atmosphere is a huge like, goal for the team. It would boost a lot of morale.”

Moreover, Arnold knows well what the extra practices would mean for his development and how much the entire Sooners team could benefit from it. Additionally, being able to cap off their first season in the SEC with at least a bowl appearance would look a lot better than missing one entirely.

Alas, Arnold hasn’t been perfect on the season, but he’s passed for 1,243 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions, not terrible numbers by any means. Additionally, he’s run for 238 yards and three touchdowns, as well.

Whether his future is in Oklahoma or elsewhere, Jackson Arnold will be looking to finish 2024 out strong for the Sooners, and get them bowl-eligible, like they should be year-in and year-out, at the least.