Oklahoma boosts College Football Playoff chances with LSU win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Oklahoma entered Saturday with one mission to beat LSU. The stakes were anything but ordinary being ranked No. 8 by the College Football Playoff committee.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Sooners could reach 10-2 and move to the front of the postseason conversation. A victory would push OU into the conversation and put the program on track to return to the Playoff for the first time since 2019.
It wasn’t always pretty in Norman, but Oklahoma found enough offense and leaned on a suffocating defense in a 17-13 win over the Tigers.
John Mateer had three early interceptions but delivered when it mattered most. The quarterback hit Isaiah Sategna for a 58-yard touchdown pass with 4:16 remaining. Mateer finished 23 of 38 for 318 yards. Sategna hauled in nine passes for 121 yards, including the game’s decisive blow.
The defense is Venables’ calling card and controlled the game. OU held LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren to 14-of-25 passing for 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Tigers mustered just 85 rushing yards and 198 total yards and converted only two of 14 third downs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe win moved OU to the ten-win column, its fourth straight victory. It also marked the first time during the streak that the Sooners outgained an opponent, finishing with a 393-198 edge.
Venables, who began the season under pressure after a 6-7 campaign last year, praised the resilience of his team.
“The narrative wasn’t always on their side, and they had to fight through that,” Venables said. “I just have so much appreciation, respect for our players and staff.”
Oklahoma is now projected to host a first-round playoff game, a scenario few expected months ago.
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