Georgia vs Oklahoma: Time for a Rematch
by Keegan Shinall
Dawgs OTL Writer/ Bleeds Red and Black
It’s been nearly a decade since Georgia faced off in a Rose Bowl against an Oklahoma team comprised of future NFL house hold names. That team with Pro Bowlers like Mark Andrews, Baker, Cee Dee and coached by Lincoln Riley. It seems almost like a dream to have lived this batch of titans face off and for have Georgia to win so dramatically. That epic game will have basically nothing to do with this one. Kirby himself bluntly pointed out to reporters wanting to romanticize the classic Barn burner game last time we enjoyed last go facing this team.
We have been long overdue for the next chapter. That game was just that good. Fans wanted a sequel. Like the best fights in boxing in MMA, they’re down to the wire and everyone in the stadium feels like the team who had it last is the team that is destined to win. Ever since it was announced Oklahoma would be joining the SEC, fans from both fan bases eventually set their sites on a future calendar date in 2026. Lincoln Riley wanted none of that and he set sail for USC. Now we’re here, but both of those teams won’t be playing in the game. This Oklahoma team is not as flashy or as keen on winning mind games like Baker Mayfield was, no this is a quite run it at you and see what you do about it type of Oklahoma team. Head coach Brett Venables is one of the most respected in the game and you can maybe only imagine a handful of defensive minded coaches on the same tier as Kirby Smart. It could be a SEC throwback affair like the LSU-Bama games in the early 2010’s. The type of game that’ll make you wanna go catch some CTE in the front yard with your buddies for ole times sake.
If you want a deep dive on the vibes around the Oklahoma program I found this Jon Gruden visit to campus to be illuminating.
Sooners Look to Rebound on the Road
Considering the number of heralded transfers on Oklahoma’s roster and the experience they have at quarterback, it is safe to say the Sooners have not lived up to their potential to this point in the 2026 season. Oklahoma has plenty of talented pieces on offense, but the production has not matched the talent level. Isaiah Sategna III has been one of the Sooners’ most productive offensive players, while tight end Rocky Beers and Florida transfers add experience to the group. Trell Harris another transfer wide receiver who earned All ACC honors at Virginia, gives Oklahoma another experienced target on the outside. He is listed as out for Saturday. The pieces are there for a productive offense, but Georgia will be looking to keep the Sooners from putting those pieces together consistently.
Oklahoma’s offense has struggled statistically through the opening portion of the season. The Sooners currently rank 115th nationally in total offense, 81st in passing offense, 123rd in rushing offense and 102nd in scoring offense. Those numbers do not necessarily reflect the amount of talent Oklahoma has available, which makes this matchup particularly important for Georgia’s defense. John Mateer is the centerpiece of the offense and creates additional problems with his ability to run the football. Oklahoma uses him in power run concepts and has shown a willingness to use him in short yardage situations, including the good ole tush push on fourth down attempts. Georgia’s linebackers and safeties will have to remain disciplined with Mateer while still accounting for the Sooners’ other skill players. If you dedicate too much focus to slowing him down you become vulnerable in the passing game, if you don’t put an emphasis you’re just asking to let him have a 100 yard day on the ground. It’s a fine line of respect and staying agressive. Let’s take the fight to him and send our speedy front 7 after him exactly how they will likely aim to do against Gunner Stockton. With all that they could do to us this could finally be a big time sack party for the defense.
Oklahoma Cast Will Test Elite Georgia Secondary
This will be one of the better tests of Georgia’s secondary to this point in the season. Oklahoma has enough experienced receivers to take advantage of mistakes, and Georgia cannot afford to allow Mateer to extend plays with his legs while receivers work themselves open downfield. The Dawgs have to maintain their responsibilities at the second and third levels and make Oklahoma consistently execute long drives rather than allowing explosive plays to change the game.
Offensive Keys
UGA and OK both have two of the best lines. We can surely experiment within reason to try to control the clock and the line of scrimmage but I don’t see us mauling Oklahoma. I’ll be more than thrilled to be wrong. Georgia should have opportunities to use the short passing game as an extension of the run against Oklahoma’s defensive front. The Sooners have a stout group of down linemen that plays with good effort and gets off the football quickly. Short completions to running backs, receivers and tight ends can force those defenders to move laterally and tackle in space. With Nate Frazier questionable it gives us even more reason to involve Chauncey Bowens and Dwight Phillips Jr. These two could be important pieces of the game plan along with Nick Peal and Bo Walker. It’s a long SEC schedule so staying healthy keeps us in the game. Let’s target their linebackers and create favorable matchups. Gunner has been excellent against the blitz and I hope that remains true.
The tight ends should be another major part of Georgia’s offensive plan. They have been heavily involved in what has been one of the nation’s better offenses, and their blocking has been an important part of Georgia’s success. Ethan Barbour in particular has provided valuable work in the blocking game. Getting the tight ends involved as receivers will force Oklahoma to respect them in multiple areas and create additional opportunities for Georgia’s running game. Elyiss Williams and Prothro can be big body 1 v 1 guys in redzone situations. Jaden Reddell can do damage in open space so he can be yet another extension of the run game if necessary. Of course our best chance of getting separation down the field has already shown itself in the likes of Sacovie White, Craig Dandridge, London Humphreys and Talyn Taylor. Those guys have proved it several times now they have the ability to get open at a high level. Surely there’s more than those and others have better big body catching ability but we can start there and scheme them open when we need a throw down the field.
Were Not So Different You & I
Brent Venables has built an Oklahoma defense that plays fast and gets to the football. His defensive linemen are coached to attack rather than simply sit at the line of scrimmage, which puts pressure on offensive linemen to win their assignments quickly. David Stone is one of the most recognizable names in the group. The former five star defensive tackle entered Oklahoma with significant expectations and has been viewed by many as a potential first round NFL talent. IF he plays he’s a big factor but on Monday he suffered a slight dislocation. Now to me a dislocation could be anything but slight and would be surprised if he played but the Oklahoma media and coaches are acting like he’s playing so Georgia’s interior offensive line will have to plan on accounting for him throughout the game.
There is an interesting similarity between the two defensive fronts in this matchup. Oklahoma has several undersized and athletic defensive linemen who rely on quickness, leverage and the ability to get off the ball. You do not see a defensive line filled with massive Jordan Davis type bodies. Instead, Venables has several players who look like explosive athletes capable of playing multiple roles. Georgia has increasingly moved toward a similar type of defensive front, with athletic players who can attack gaps and create pressure.
There are some similarities between Mateer and Gunner Stockton as well. Both quarterbacks have faced criticism regarding their passing games while possessing the ability to make plays with their legs. That creates an interesting dynamic because both defenses will have to account for the quarterback as a runner while maintaining coverage responsibilities. For Stockton, the key will be making the simple throws, distributing the football and taking advantage of Oklahoma when the Sooners commit extra defenders to the run. They will be blitzing so let’s not take sacks like last week.
Oklahomas Dangerous Front 7-8
Georgia has generally handled physical defensive fronts well this season, but Oklahoma can create problems with its movement and technique. The Dawgs have not been consistently bull rushed, but offenses have found ways to use finesse and movement to create advantages. Oklahoma’s defensive front will test Georgia’s ability to communicate and maintain its blocking assignments, particularly when Venables starts mixing pressures, delaying a disguising the stunts, pulling out all the stops and funky moves to catch a lineman on their heels just one good time. They do a good job of having corners blitzing late, safeties serving as a distraction, lots of moving pieces to account for. The pre snap picture is often meant to be tricky, it is where I will tip my hat the most. For us, there’s no assuming assignments at the LOS we need to talk it out. The speed on the edges has been where Georgia has seen the most vulnerability. Adding a tight end even as a bump and run guy can give some aid.
Someone like Todd Grantham became known during his time at Georgia for aggressive blitz packages that could become predictable on third down. Venables has shown throughout his career that he can create pressure through well executed disguises and different pressure looks. Georgia’s offensive line, running backs and tight ends will have to communicate well in protection and recognize where the pressure is coming from.
Can Georgia Step Up In These Areas?
For Georgia’s defense, the biggest priority will be improving in the red zone. The Dawgs are currently near the bottom of the SEC in red zone efficiency, sitting only three spots above the bottom of the conference. Oklahoma has a quarterback in Mateer who becomes especially important in those condensed areas of the field because of his ability to extend plays and run the football. Georgia has to turn successful defensive possessions into field goals or empty drives rather than allowing Oklahoma to finish with touchdowns.
Third down will be another important area. Georgia currently ranks 10th in the SEC on third down, and getting off the field will be particularly important against Oklahoma because Mateer gives the Sooners another option when a play breaks down. Georgia’s defensive front needs to create manageable third downs and allow the secondary to play aggressively without constantly having to defend extended possessions.
Well Coached Teams Do Special Teams Well
Special teams also deserve attention in this matchup. Isaiah Sategna III is an important player for Oklahoma in that phase of the game, and field position could become significant if the offenses struggle to consistently produce. Georgia has to handle the kicking game cleanly and avoid giving Oklahoma favorable field position through coverage mistakes or returns.
Injury Report
Final Thoughts
Oklahoma is a physical and well coached football team with enough individual talent to make this a challenging matchup for Georgia. The Sooners have experienced players at several positions, a quarterback who can create problems with his legs, athletic defensive linemen and a coaching staff capable of creating pressure through different looks.
Georgia’s offense needs to stay efficient against that pressure, establish the run, involve the tight ends and use the short passing game to keep Oklahoma’s defensive front from dictating the game. Defensively, the Dawgs need to contain Mateer, limit explosive plays and force Oklahoma to sustain long drives. If Georgia can improve its red zone efficiency and stay disciplined on third down, it will put itself in position to control the game against an Oklahoma team that has plenty of talent but is still searching for consistent offensive production. I expect Oklahoma to be going for it on 4th downs and hungry for a rebound win. Georgia hopefully sobered up enough from the Arkansas game to be able to keep their foot on the gas. They deserve a ton of credit for how well they have played to this point. Maybe were not looking at the Rose Bowl iteration of Sooners. It won’t be a real sequel if it’s not a good game. And for this year Oklahoma is the real first test.
Score Prediction: 36-17
Go DAWGS !
