As much criticism as Ben Arbuckle, John Mateer and Brent Venables have received over the last few days, the offensive line deserves their fair share.
The Sooners didn't exactly start the season off on the right foot, either. A series of injuries and consequential shuffling has led to an inconsistent unit that hasn't exactly forced Arbuckle's hand to stick to a running plan.
First, it was Michael Fasusi and then Jake Maikkula during Fall Camp. Ryan Fodje went down the week before OU's first game. Fasusi was able to return for UTEP but left after a handful of snaps before missing the loss to Michigan and this Saturday's game against New Mexico.
Maikkula and Fodje were able to return against the Wolverines for their first action of 2026, with Fodje kicking out to left tackle for the first time since he's been on campus in Norman. The results were so-so against a talented Michigan front, but far too often did Mateer feel pressure in his lap too quickly.
"In a lot of ways I thought they played really well. Was it consistent enough? Nope," Arbuckle said on Tuesday. "At times, was it violent enough? No. At times, was it? Absolutely. Was there, at times, where I could have put them in a be...