Why returning starting SEC quarterback says he feels uncomfortable re-watching game against Alabama

Oklahoma’s starting quarterback John Mateer is looking to have a more successful 2026 season after leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff last year.

Mateer and the Sooners beat the Alabama Crimson Tide en route to the playoff during the 2025 season. However, the Tide was able to redeem the loss in the first round of the playoff in Norman, Oklahoma. Alabama beat Oklahoma 34-24 to become the first team in the 12-team playoff era to win a road game.

Alabama did not completely stop Mateer in the playoff win. The Oklahoma quarterback came out the gate looking really good, but he eventually cooled off as the first half progressed, ultimately throwing an interception that Zabien Brown returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. The play flipped the game upside down and allowed the Tide to tie the score before halftime. That moment in particular is one Mateer has found hard to watch.

“I’m watching it,” Mateer said at SEC Media Days during an interview on The SEC Network. “I’m not gonna say I watch it all the time. It’s very uncomfortable to watch, like it really is, and I learned a lot. I think like it’s just it’s not an easy game. I mean, I think the one play against Alabama like they got me. I mean, they did. It is a bad play… Everyone knows what I’m talking about, and I’ve thought about it a million times. You learn that every play is different and then you go through your reads, learn there’s keys on every play. I’ll be better for it.”

Brown told reporters after the game he read Mateer’s eyes before the snap.

“We’re in a lot of cover zero, and we just ran a simulated kind of cover two,” Brown said. “I’m dropping into the flats on the zero look. I see him kind of audible over there. Reading his eyes, kind of looked like he wanted to go over there pre-snap, and I just fell into the flats, ball fell right in my hand, and my mind says I’ve got to get to that zone, can’t get tackled.”

Oklahoma and Alabama do not play in the regular season this fall.