Oklahoma Faces Tall Task at No. 2 Georgia in SEC Road Test

The Sooners visit Athens as double-digit underdogs, with offensive line play, turnovers, and Georgia's run game shaping the matchup.

Oklahoma heads to Athens, Georgia, this weekend to face the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in what amounts to the Sooners' toughest test of the season. Oklahoma arrives as a double-digit underdog and is still searching for answers on offense.

Georgia has been one of college football's most consistent programs over the past decade, winning at least 11 games in eight of the last nine seasons. The only exception came in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, when the Bulldogs went 8-2. Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has lost just two home games since his second year in Athens.

For Oklahoma, the matchup likely starts up front on offense. Coach Brent Venables said this week that the offensive line needs to play better. Pass protection has been adequate enough to give quarterback John Mateer time at times, but the line has struggled to pick up blitzes when downfield opportunities have opened up. The run game has been the bigger problem, with the Sooners averaging fewer yards per carry and per game than last season, when they finished 113th nationally in rushing yards per game.

Turnovers have also hurt. Oklahoma is minus-five in turnover margin over its last two games, with drives stalling or never getting started because of giveaways. Mateer threw interceptions at Washington State and against New Mexico, and cutting down on damaging picks will matter against a team like Georgia. On defense, the Sooners have not forced a turnover since Week 1, and a takeaway or two would help with field position.

Slowing Georgia's ground attack presents another challenge. After finishing 102nd nationally in rushing a couple of seasons ago, Georgia improved to 35th in 2025 at 182.1 yards per game. This season the Bulldogs are averaging 253.3 rushing yards per game, 16th in the country, and 7.3 yards per carry, tied for first in college football. Running back Frazier and quarterback Stockton, who can make plays with his legs, will test an Oklahoma defense that has been strong against the run under Venables but has struggled at times with mobile quarterbacks this season.

By most measures, this is the best opponent Oklahoma has faced since joining the SEC, and the Sooners will likely need their most complete performance of the year to compete in Athens.