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One of many nationโs premier quarterbacks may begin his crewโs recreation on Saturday sitting on the bench.
Spencer Rattler, as soon as thought of the Heisman entrance runner and a possible top-five decide within the 2022 NFL Draft, has seen a stark reversal of fortune in 2021 โ a 12 months during which he has garnered extra consideration for his on-field setbacks than his playmaking means.
MORE: Lincoln Riley should start Caleb Williams, but keeping Spencer Rattler engaged is key for Oklahoma
That was most evident in his benching for true freshman Caleb Williams within the Purple River Showdown: He struggled mightily within the first half, committing two turnovers, as Texas jumped to a 28-7 first-quarter lead. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has unwittingly created a media circus by refusing to call a starter or in any other case deal with the scenario, however stated briefly following his crewโs 55-48 win that he benched Rattler due to turnover issues.
Rattler completed the sport finishing 8 of 15 passes for 111 yards and an interception, including minus-9 rushes and a misplaced fumble on 5 carries. Following his second turnover โ each led to Texas touchdowns โ Riley benched him in favor of Williams, beginning with the Soonersโ closing drive of the primary half. That stated, Riley did credit score Rattler for finishing a vital 2-point conversion try to tie the sport at 41-41 within the fourth quarter. He additionally stated he thought of letting him return for the Soonersโ go-ahead landing drive, which Williams finally led.
Saturdayโs recreation wasnโt the primary time Rattler has struggled, not solely this 12 months, but additionally in earlier seasons. Think about the 2020 Purple River Showdown: Then, as in 2021, Riley benched Rattler in favor of Tanner Mordecai following a first-half fumble and interception by the starter. Not like 2021, Spencer took over following halftime, finishing 15 of 24 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns to guide the Sooners to a four-overtime victory over the Longhorns. Oklahoma did not lose one other recreation en path to a 9-2 season.
Following his benching vs. Texas, together with the second half vs. the Longhorns, Rattler accomplished 137 of 212 passes (61.1 %) for 1,983 yards and 17 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. He additionally added 4 speeding scores. In all, he completed the 2020 season with 3,031 passing yards, a 67.5 completion share and 32 complete touchdowns.
MORE: How Oklahoma stunned Texas for largest comeback in Red River Showdown history
Six video games into the 2021 season, it appears Rattler was unable to construct off his redshirt freshman marketing campaign. Whereas it is true he has an absurd 74.3 completion share, he has solely handed for 300-plus yards as soon as and has interceptions in 4 video games. He has 10 passing touchdowns and 5 interceptions by means of six begins. He additionally has three speeding touchdowns and two fumbles.
Rattlerโs comparatively below-average play hasnโt adversely affected the Soonersโ report, however Oklahoma has struggled to single-possession victories over unranked Tulane, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kansas State and No. 21 Texas. The one crew the Sooners have overwhelmed by multiple possession is FCS opponent Western Carolina, who misplaced 76-0 to Oklahoma in Week 2.
Rattlerโs play has been famous by Sooners trustworthy, together with followers who booed him in Week 4 towards West Virginia. Additionally they referred to as for Williams to come back on in alternative in what was finally a 16-13 Oklahoma win. Riley lastly obliged them two weeks later.
MORE: How Caleb Williams, Sooners changed Red River Showdown, Big 12 race and more in 55-48 thriller
The place does that go away Rattler shifting ahead? Underneath the NCAAโs new one-time switch rule, he may conceivably enter the switch portal and take over for a crew in want of a quarterback. He has three extra years of eligibility, together with the 2021 season, and will rebuild his draft inventory at one other faculty. One other potential transfer is to forgo his closing years of eligibility to arrange for the NFL Draft, a transfer that has gained reputation lately amongst a number of draft-eligible prospects.
For now, it seems the Oklahoma quarterback is dedicated to the Sooners a minimum of by means of the season. His father, Mike Rattler, stated theyโll re-assess the scenario following the 2021 marketing campaign.
โFor proper now, heโs centered on working for this crew, and weโll see what occurs after Jan. 10,โ Mike Rattler informed the OU Daily. โHopefully heโll be enjoying within the nationwide championship on Jan. 10, after which after that weโll consider the place heโs so far as if any groups are desirous about him within the NFL, weโll think about that.
โIf we predict, โHey, you already know what, we could must do one other 12 months or one thing at Oklahoma, whereverโโฆ weโre leaving our choices open whereas thatโs involved, however for probably the most half, proper now, we donโt even speak about it, as a result of heโs received a activity at hand to cope with.โ
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