As Oklahoma gears up for its clash with Alabama this Saturday, the conversation in Norman still circles back to one near-fatal mistake. The Sooners escaped Knoxville with a 33-27 upset win over Tennessee before the bye week, but a late-game error by John Mateer nearly ended their campaign.

With 4:22 left in the fourth quarter and a 26–17 lead, quarterback John Mateer tried to connect with wide receiver Jer’Michael Carter on first down. Instead, Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman jumped the route and intercepted the pass, returning it to the Volunteers’ 45-yard line. The turnover opened the door for a comeback that could have shattered Oklahoma’s playoff hopes.

After reviewing the play, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle stepped forward and took full accountability. “Yeah, at the end of

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