Greg McElroy sees Oklahoma's quarterback John Mateer and offensive continuity as key to an SEC championship run, predicting a transformative 2026 season
As the 2026 college football season approaches, ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is turning heads with his enthusiastic endorsement of the Oklahoma Sooners.
On a recent episode of his Always College Football podcast, McElroy delved into why OU could emerge as one of the SEC's most formidable teams, emphasizing their quarterback stability, coaching continuity, and ability to navigate a brutal schedule.
This optimism comes at a pivotal time for the program, which has been building momentum since joining the SEC in 2024, under head coach Brent Venables. With a healthy John Mateer paired with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma appears primed to transition from potential to performance.
McElroy's praise centers heavily on Mateer, whom he describes as a transformative talent capable of elevating the entire team. "Now, if you were paying attention last year, before the injury to his thumb, John Mateer was playing really high-level football," McElroy said.
"He was a highlight reel, man. Made some huge plays, great on the ground, had a knack for kind of making something out of nothing, and then he got hurt. You saw some turnovers, and everyone kind of looked away, it felt like, for the second half of the season. Well, Mateer decided to come back, and I think this is great, because he is a guy that I think can be more than just a really good college quarterback. He can be a massive difference-maker."
Mateer and Arbuckle are entering their second year at Oklahoma, the duo brings a level of familiarity that's rare in today's transfer-heavy landscape. This continuity is a cornerstone of McElroy's analysis.
"Mateer is the engine to this offense that will be run by Ben Arbuckle entering into year two of their identity, and one of the biggest advantages that Oklahoma has ... they have some continuity," McElroy explained. "Mateer and Arbuckle, they have a telepathic connection at this point. They aren't feeling themselves out in the system throughout September. They're walking into the Big House (to play Michigan) in Week 2, and they're prepared to throw haymakers. So, if Mateer can kind of clean up some of the quote 'hero ball' interceptions, he isn't just a Heisman contender, I mean, this is a guy that could legitimately bring the trophy home."
The early test against Michigan on September 12 at the Big House in Ann Arbor is just the beginning of a demanding slate. Oklahoma's 2026 schedule includes non-conference games against UTEP (September 5), New Mexico (September 19), and a high-profile road trip to Michigan, before diving into SEC play with an away game at Georgia (September 26). The Red River Shootout against Texas follows on October 10 in Dallas, with home games against Kentucky (October 17), South Carolina (October 31), Ole Miss (November 14), and Texas A&M (November 21). Road challenges include Mississippi State (October 24), Florida (November 7), and Missouri (November 28).
McElroy views this gauntlet not as a hurdle but as an opportunity.
"The schedule's designed to break a weak team, but with a veteran team like Oklahoma, this should be a resume builder," he noted. "If the Sooners can come out of that stretch with two losses or fewer, they're not just in the playoff, they'll be hosting a game in Norman. At the very least, they're in the College Football Playoff. So, what do we make of the 2026 Sooners? They could be one of the more balanced teams in the SEC that no one's really talking about as a possible front runner. They have a veteran quarterback. They have really good staff ... Oklahoma is sitting there in the grass, just waiting to strike. They have the toughness, they have the continuity, and they have kind of that energy that is going to be a huge problem for every single team they face this year."
Beyond the offense, McElroy highlighted Oklahoma's defensive prowess, suggesting it could be among the nation's elite after key transfer portal additions.
He pointed to the team's physical transformation, saying, "Well, I think those that are sitting there recognizing the monster that has been built, I hope they kept those receipts, because heading into the 2026 season, the Oklahoma Sooners aren't just surviving the gauntlet that is the SEC, they've become one of the most physically imposing rosters in the country."
This shift marks a departure from recent seasons where injuries and inconsistencies plagued the squad. With Venables' emphasis on recruiting and development, OU has bolstered its lines and secondary, creating a balanced unit that complements Arbuckle's high-octane offense.
McElroy's overarching theme for Oklahoma in 2026 is evolution. "The theme for 2026 is not potential. It's about taking the next step," he asserted.
In a conference dominated by powerhouses like Georgia, Texas, and Alabama, the Sooners' under-the-radar status could work to their advantage. If Mateer stays healthy and the defense lives up to the hype, McElroy's prediction of a playoff berth—and possibly more—could become reality.
As fans in Norman gear up for kickoff, the buzz from McElroy's podcast serves as a rallying cry: the Sooners are no longer just adapting to the SEC; they're ready to conquer it.