The 2024 season has brought a lot of excitement for the Oklahoma Sooners as they embark on their new chapter in the SEC. However, their performance so far has been inconsistent. Despite a 3-0 start, Oklahoma’s offense has struggled, ranking 108th in total offense, 114th in passing offense, and 67th in rushing offense. A key factor in this offensive inconsistency has been the uneven play of sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold. The former five-star recruit has completed 62.8% of his passes for 487 yards, with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, appearing on SoonerScoop’s YouTube show, stressed that Arnold needs to step up in Oklahoma’s upcoming big game against Tennessee. Finebaum expressed doubt about the offense’s prospects, saying, “He has to show up Saturday night. Based on three games, there’s not a lot of reason to have hope that OU has a good or great offense.”
Arnold is still in the early stages of his career, having started just four games. Compounding his challenges, Oklahoma has been without four of its top five wide receivers and three starting offensive linemen. The running game hasn’t provided much support either. Despite these setbacks, Arnold showcased his ability in the recent game against Tulane, rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns. However, as SEC play kicks off this weekend, the road ahead won’t be easy for Arnold. Tennessee comes into Norman on a hot streak, ranked No. 2 in both total offense and defense. The Volunteers are averaging an astounding 63.7 points per game while allowing only 4.3, placing them at No. 3. If Oklahoma hopes to win its first conference game, Arnold and the offense will need to deliver a significantly improved performance.