Urban Meyer: Brent Venables under 'lots of pressure' to beat Michigan during Week 2

Oklahoma hosts Michigan in the marquee Week 2 matchup in college football. Both teams have a lot to prove this early in the season, but is it a must-win game for head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners?

According to Urban Meyer, that’s exactly the case for the OU boss. Oklahoma has finished 6-7 in two of Venables first three seasons, and struggled during their first season in the SEC. Getting a massive non-conference victory over the Wolverines would be an enormous confidence boost to his squad.

“There is a ton of pressure on Venables at Oklahoma,” Meyer said on Big Noon Kickoff. “I’m going to say this — he has to win that game. It’s his fourth year, and he’s gotta win that game. Lots of pressure, But the forward pass is back in Ann Arbor.”

Meyer and his Big Noon Kickoff panel was joined by some of Barstool Sports’ personalities, including the likes of new co-host Dave Portnoy and Big Cat, a co-host of the popular Pardon My Take podcast. Big Cat is a little more confident in Venables’ squad — and it starts under center.

“Listen, I think everyone’s talking about the wrong quarterback,” Big Cat said. “It’s John Mateer in this game. This is going to be his coming out party. Everyone’s talking about Bryce Underwood. He’s on the road playing against the Venables defense. First start on the road. John Mateer is the guy. He’s going to win this game, and that will be the buzz coming out.”

Underwood will be in his second game as a college football player, and is getting his first true road start against the Sooners in Norman. For OU, Mateer is a veteran transfer from Washington State who made a strong first impressing during his first start for Oklahoma last week.

During the 35-3 victory over Illinois State, Mateer completed 30 of his 37 passing attempts for 392 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He added another touchdown on the ground as well.

Still, the Wolverines looked strong in their season opener as well, a 34-17 win over New Mexico. Underwood passed for 251 yards and a touchdown during the matchup.

Kickoff between the Sooners and Wolverines is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC. The host site of ESPN’s College GameDay for Week 2, there is a ton of hype surrounding this matchup. Entering game day, Oklahoma is a 5.5-point betting favorite, per BetMGM.