⚡ CFB Dashboard

- OL/DL: Yep, I was encouraged to see so many OL get a good amount of reps last week and look pretty good.

- Oklahoma linebacker Cole Sullivan played 20 defensive snaps in the opener, graded well across multiple positions and contributed on special teams, with Brent Venables expecting his role to grow against Michigan and through the season. - Oklahoma must tackle substantially better than it did in the 51-0 UTEP win, according to Venables, who emphasized block destruction, closing space and getting multiple defenders to the ball against Michigan's stronger ball carriers.

- QB: Actually didn't notice the failings of EPL, Nitta, Best , or Ozaeta as much as the failings and lack of quickness of the ORT Thomas.

- LB: BV won’t get beat twice by that—he knows UM will test that to see if it is buttoned up.

- Injury: BREAKING: Oklahoma Gets O-Line Relief for Michigan Visit, But Injury Concerns Linger

- Pick/market: That was the consensus.

- Oklahoma beat UTEP 51-0 and showed big-play passing growth, but the report card still described the Sooners as leaving room for improvement. - John Mateer was graded as solid at quarterback with strong throws on the move, while Isaiah Sategna drew the top offensive grade after a breakout receiving and return performance. - The offensive-line review was mixed: E'Marion Harris was called Oklahoma's most consistent lineman, Noah Best played all three interior spots, but Heath Ozaeta was not viewed as creating enough movement. - Oklahoma's defense was dominant overall but had early run-fit issues against UTEP before becoming stingier in the second half. - The author specifically identified the run game on both sides of the ball as the main week-one question despite an otherwise strong opener.

- Oklahoma's revamped offense used roughly a quarter of John Mateer's snaps from under center and played 50 of 59 offensive snaps from 12 personnel against UTEP. - Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three long touchdowns while looking comfortable in the new under-center and multiple-tight-end structure. - Oklahoma's tight ends were moved across in-line, wide, and H-back alignments, with Trynae Washington serving as a lead blocker on Lloyd Avant's one-yard touchdown run. - All three Oklahoma touchdown passes came on play-action from two-tight-end sets, including scores to Rocky Beers, Isaiah Sategna, and Trell Harris. - Oklahoma's offense is still not complete because expected starting offensive linemen Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje were sidelined in Week 1.

- Oklahoma's revised offense leaned into downhill runs, under-center calls, and heavy two- and three-tight-end packages; transfer Lloyd Avant led the opening drive and finished with 79 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. - John Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns, including second-half scores of 34 yards to Isaiah Sategna and 48 yards to Trell Harris. - The offense still settled for two short field goals after failed red-zone finishes, and its 4.4 yards per rush came against a UTEP team expected to rank near the bottom nationally. - Expected offensive-line starters Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje missed the opener; Maikkula warmed up and both are expected back relatively soon, but their status is important before Oklahoma visits Michigan. - Oklahoma's defense pitched a shutout and forced two fumbles after not recording its first takeaway until Week 6 last season, although it allowed 5.2 yards per play in the first quarter and a 51-yard quarterback run late.