5 ways the Oklahoma Sooners offense needs to get back on track

The Oklahoma Sooners ' offense struggled in the final three weeks of September. After putting up 51 points in the season-opening win over UTEP, Oklahoma has averaged 12.3 points per game against Michigan, New Mexico, and Georgia.

The Sooners' defense gives Oklahoma a shot in every game. But it can't do everything. The offense needs to provide something and they've got the playmakers to do it. But what are some things that need to get right for the Sooners to find some success, score points, and win games moving forward? Here are five things that can help.

Not everything that's gone on with the Oklahoma Sooners offense is entirely on John Mateer. But if he comes out of the bye week better, that helps tremendously.

Most of what needs to happen is regaining his confidence. Peyton Bowen called it his "mojo ." If he finds his mojo and regains his confidence, Mateer could be the one to turn the offense around. He needs to throw the ball on time and take shots downfield to soften up defenses. If he lacks confidence, he'll keep second-guessing what he sees. Oklahoma's offense has throws to be made, but Mateer looks to be second-guessing what he sees after he hits his drop.

The Oklahoma Sooners haven't had one of their best players for the first month of the season as left tackle Michael Fasusi has been dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in fall camp. He tried to play through the issue against UTEP but was severely limited and hasn't played since.

Fasusi is your best offensive lineman and his presence would not only provide an upgrade at left tackle, but it would also allow Bill Bedenbaugh to shift Ryan Fodje back to his more natural right tackle spot and then work with Heath Ozaeta, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Noah Best, and E'Marion Harris to find the best guard combination for either side of Jake Maikkula.

Right now the Sooners have too many questions along the offensive line for it to be successful, but Fasusi's presence would help a lot.

A lot of the offensive conversation over the last week has focused on Mateer after three straight weeks of turnover-laden games. As much as he needs to improve, the Oklahoma offense has to find some help for him via the running game.

Oklahoma's rushing attack is averaging 99 yards per game through four games, which ranks No. 129 in the nation. Only two Power Four teams are averaging fewer rushing yards per game than the Sooners: Stanford and Arkansas. Oklahoma's 2.9 yards per attempt ranks 134th out of 138 teams.

For a program that spent the offseason working to improve the running game, they've taken a step backward.

Now, the run game will take a step forward if Mateer finds some consistency throwing the ball downfield. It'll also be aided if Fasusi can get back in action.

Isaiah Sategna is your best offensive weapon, but Rocky Beers isn't far behind. Beers is second on the team in receptions and yards with 18 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns. When he's targeted, good things happen. Beers is making the reception on 81.8% of his targets.

But it's been an up-and-down target share for the Sooners' dynamic tight end. In games one and three, he only had two targets. In games two and four, Beers had nine targets in each game.

Mateer feels most comfortable throwing over the middle of the field, and Beers provides the Sooners with a dynamic weapon in that area of the passing game. He should have a high target share moving forward and be involved on every critical down.

The Oklahoma Sooners have weapons in the wide receiver corps. Sategna, Elijah Thomas, Jahsiear Rogers, and others can create in space with the ball in their hands. As an extension of the running game, Oklahoma needs to find ways to get them more involved in the quick passing game. Whether on slants, drag routes, or wide receiver screens. Find ways to get your most electric playmakers the ball in space and force defenses to defend you sideline to sideline.

The Sooners need to find some success down the field to get defenses to back away from the line of scrimmage, which would open up the running game a bit more. But also, if teams are forced to defend the screen a bunch, they'll be more susceptible to deep shots.

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