Oklahoma
Sooners in the NFL: Oklahoma’s Quarterbacks On Fire Again in Week 8
Oklahoma has suffered through a season of subpar quarterback play and questionable offensive schemes all year long. Tuning into the Sooners’ NFL quarterbacks on Sunday’s has to be breath of fresh air.
It was another tremendous week in the NFL for Oklahoma’s three-headed monster in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. Murray and Hurts led their teams to victory, while Mayfield fell short with an injured supporting cast.
Hurts claimed possession of the most dominant performance of the weekend, leading the Eagles to a commanding 37-17 win in Cincinnati. The Bengals had won three of their last four games, but couldn’t find a solution to slow down Hurts and Philadelphia’s offensive attack.
The former Oklahoma quarterback completed 16-of-20 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown through the air, marking his most efficient passing performance of the season. As always, his legs added a different element to the Eagles’ offense as Hurts rushed 10 times for 37 yards and three touchdowns. He had a turnover free day and an efficiency rating of 132.5.
Murray’s performance was similar to Hurts in the fact that he took over the game and put the team on his back. He completed 26-of-36 passing attempts for 307 yards and two touchdowns with zero turnovers. Murray was quiet on the ground today with just 19 rushing yards, but he trusted his arm all day long.
The 307-yard passing performance was the most passing yards Murray has generated since October 30, 2022. He now has 11 passing touchdowns and three interceptions on the season, and Arizona is an underrated team at 4-4 overall.
Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Bucs fell just short, failing to complete the Oklahoma quarterback trifecta of victories. Tampa’s costly penalties played a part in the game late, but he did everything he could to help the Buccaneers stay alive.
On the afternoon, Mayfield was 37-of-50 through the air with 330 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, and his Hail Mary on the final play was caught by a Bucs wideout out of bounds. He added three rushes for 11 yards. Both of Mayfield’s interceptions came on deep shots downfield where he was trying to move the ball for Tampa Bay. In a 31-26 loss, though, turnovers are crucial, and Mayfield couldn’t take care of the ball.
Tampa’s 26 points, 330 passing yards and three touchdowns is even more impressive considering the context. Mayfield was without both of his top targets, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and had to make do with a supporting cast of backup wide receivers. At 4-4 with two straight losses, the Bucs have to figure things out in a hurry, and it doesn’t get much easier. Mayfield will face the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in back-to-back weeks coming up.
All three of Oklahoma’s quarterbacks put on a show during Sunday’s early slate. Murray and Hurts simply dominated, while Mayfield tried to will his team back into the game. One thing is for certain: Oklahoma is QBU eight weeks into the NFL season.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Offensive Lineman Says He’ll Enter Transfer Portal
Another offensive lineman from Oklahoma’s heralded 2024 group of freshman has decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Third-year sophomore tackle Isaiah Autry-Dent announced Monday on social media that he’ll be entering the portal when it opens on Jan. 2.
“I’m truly grateful for the incredible, life-changing experience I’ve had at the University of Oklahoma,” he wrote. “The dedication of the staff, the camaraderie with my teammates, and the unwavering support from the fans have made this journey unforgettable. I’ve learned lessons on and off the field that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’m thankful for every moment, every challenge and every triumph along the way.”
Dent added that he’s “given it a great deal of thought and prayed for guidance” but intends to leave OU with 3-4 years of eligibility remaining and is “excited about exploring new opportunities to continue growing as a player and as a person.”
After much prayer and family talks, I’ll enter the transfer portal on January 2 with three years of eligibility left. Thank you #SoonerNation pic.twitter.com/AM15EMHlHV
— Isaiah R Autry-Dent (@Isaiah_Zay73) December 22, 2025
Dent was one of five offensive linemen signed in the 2024 class, and he’s the third one to leave, joining Eugene Brooks and Josh Aisosa. After just two seasons, only Eddy Pierre-Louis and Daniel Akinkunmi remain.
Dent was listed at 304 pounds as a true freshman but in July checked in at 317 pounds — the biggest overall weight gain of any offensive player, which was a reflection of his hard work and dedication as the OU offensive line made an offseason mandate to get bigger and stronger.
Last spring, senior center Troy Everett was asked to assess Dent’s progress following his freshman season.
“Isaiah works hard,” Everett said. “Isaiah’s going to be great. Isaiah, right now, he’s just got to get comfortable when he’s out there, but that goes for every young guy.”
Read More Transfer Portal News
OU Transfer Portal Tracker
Oklahoma LB to Enter Portal
What Positions Must Oklahoma Address in the Portal?
Dent played in just one game — against Maine — and logged just 26 snaps on offense and nine snaps on special teams during the 2024 season, then didn’t get on the field at all in 2025.
The former 3-star prospect from Fulton, MS, is a second cousin to former OU running back Marcus Dupree. His mother, Pashen Dent-Autry, was a two-time national champion basketball player for Tennessee legend Pat Summitt.
Autry was a consensus 3-star prospect coming out as a high school All-American at Itawamba Agricultural High School, where he was a 6-foot-7, 300-pound standout.
Autry picked the Sooners over Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss, among others, and could have plenty of options.
Oklahoma
Alabama may not be done after capitalizing on clean slate of College Football Playoff
Sometimes, all that matters is getting in.
Then, anything can happen.
The postseason is unique in that way, no matter the sport. It can have a cleansing effect, providing a clean slate.
Maybe that’s what is happening with Alabama. I stand by my column the weekend the College Football Playoff pairings were announced, that Notre Dame deserved a spot over the Crimson Tide, that how a team finishes should matter. Alabama hadn’t been very good to close the regular season. It nearly lost to mediocre SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU and Auburn, fell to Oklahoma and was crushed by Georgia in the SEC championship game.
Oklahoma
Rising insurance premiums strain Oklahoma families as Congress stalls
Insurance affordability is becoming a growing concern for Oklahoma families as premiums rise across health, homeowners and auto coverage, with little action from Congress to slow the increases.
Lawmakers and policy advocates say insurance costs are rising faster than many households can afford, forcing families to choose between keeping coverage, accepting higher deductibles or dropping insurance altogether.
Health insurance premiums remain a particular concern as Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom nationally for overall health outcomes, increasing the stakes for families who rely on consistent coverage.
Frustration with federal inaction
During recent discussions on Your Vote Counts, state leaders expressed frustration that Congress left Washington for the holiday recess without advancing legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance markets or easing premium increases.
Federal officials had previously discussed proposals to offset rising costs, including direct payments to consumers, but no agreement was reached before the recess.
Rising costs across all coverage types
Rising costs are not limited to health coverage. Homeowners and auto insurance premiums have also climbed sharply, driven by inflation, higher repair costs and an increase in insurance claims nationwide.
Some lawmakers fear the cumulative impact could push more Oklahomans out of the insurance market entirely, particularly younger adults who may choose to go without coverage.
Watch part 2 of Your Vote Counts in the player below
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