Spencer Rattler Benched: Reaction After Oklahoma Moves To Caleb ...

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Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's decision to switch quarterbacks during Saturday's game against Texas, paid off in a big way after Caleb Williams' helped the Sooners overcome a 21-point deficit to down the Longhorns, 54-48. Riley moved Spencer Rattler to the bench in favor of Williams early and the backup delivered, accounting for three total touchdowns during an epic victory.

Rattler struggled early and threw an interception in the first half leading to a double-digit deficit for Oklahoma, who came into the matchup unbeaten and ranked No. 6 in the country. Riley made the move in the second quarter, a possession after Williams — on his first snap — scurried 66 yards for a touchdown on fourth-and-inches and out-raced the Texas secondary to the end zone.

"I think the playbook changes, because you can attack with Caleb Williams as a runner," Herbstreit said at halftime with the Sooners trailing, 38-20. "Spencer Rattler was more about what he could do if he had to create ... with Caleb, it's designed to let him use his legs. It's a very different kind of offense that Texas has to defend.

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"I think Texas expected Williams in red zone and short yardage situations. When Rattler got benched last year, it almost felt like, 'hey, take a series or two off and we'll put you back in.' This doesn't feel like that to me."

Here's some of the reaction after Rattler's so-so outing leading to Williams taking over at quarterback and leading the team to victory:

Notice how Spencer Rattler was not happy when Caleb Williams ran that touchdown in. And that was before he got pulled.Looking like a real “I” guy right now. pic.twitter.com/uZv2xCvCu7

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) October 9, 2021

The body language is real from Rattler, who was booed two weeks ago by Oklahoma's fans at home before leading a game-winning drive abasing West Virginia. The boobirds simmered last week against Kansas State, but re-appeared in Dallas, leading to a decision under center.

"It may be the Caleb Williams show going forward, that's a question Riley will get after the game win or lose," Chris Fowler said.

At field level Oklahoma’s entire bench and crowd took it to another level for Caleb Williams.

— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) October 9, 2021

This came after Williams' 66-yard run brought the Oklahoma faithful to their feet in Dallas and made the Sooners' coaching staff question their next move and if keeping Rattler on the sideline for the rest of the contest was worth it.

Spencer Rattler playing without a lot of confidence, and Lincoln Riley calling plays like someone without a lot of confidence in their QB. ??

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 9, 2021

Early pressure in the game, including a sack on Oklahoma's first series, led to noticeably quick feet from Rattler and a couple rushed throws (including the interception) in the first half. The Sooners weren't gaining yards in chunks while Texas kept scoring, putting the pressure won the favorites.

That Caleb Williams dude is pretty electrifying huh?

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 9, 2021

Williams' dual-threat ability kept the Longhorns honest and gave the Texas staff something to think about opening the second half. Williams nearly had a touchdown pass late in the third quarter to Jadon Haselwood to the pylon, but the ball was dropped on 2nd-and-11. On the next play, Williams found Marvin Mims for a 14-yard score to bring the Sooners within 11 points at 41-30.

Spencer Rattler may improve thru the season but so far he hasn’t shown me anything worthy of being the #1 overall pick

— Booger (@ESPNBooger) October 9, 2021

The quarterback draft class for 2022 is a mixed bag near the top, but Rattler was certainly one of the signal callers mentioned among analysts in way-too-early mocks along with Sam Howell and Nevada's Carson Strong. Thus far, he hasn't helped his draft stock this season.

Spencer Rattler is fumbling the bag right now

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 9, 2021

The former Heisman winner didn't mince words after Rattler's interception to Texas safety B.J. Foster that nullified a potential scoring drive. The heave was errant from Rattler, who never was himself in the first half before the benching.

Welcome to college football Caleb Williams! Comes in for Rattler on 4th and 1 and runs 66 yards for the TD. Welcome freshmen!

— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) October 9, 2021

The ESPN College GameDay analyst mentioned in Saturday's lead up that he was not confident in Rattler heading into the game and worried if Oklahoma still had College Football Playoff potential with the talented junior at quarterback.

Second half is underway. Caleb Williams is at QB for the Sooners. Rattler has now been benched in this game two years in a row.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 9, 2021

It's a bitter pill to swallow for Rattler, who opened the season as the Heisman frontrunner and enters the midseason point potentially as Oklahoma's No. 2 quarterback. It'll be interesting to see where the Sooners go from here moving forward and how Riley handles the quarterback situation after another sour performance from his primary signal caller.

Spencer Rattler is officially on notice pic.twitter.com/3LB97rizOt

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) October 9, 2021

Tough look for Rattler, who watched from the sideline on fourth down as Williams seized momentum with a tackle-breaking touchdown run that put the Sooners back in the game. It was a special package designed for Williams and Rattler would return under center next possession, but the message was clear — Oklahoma's backup was worthy of more reps after that play.

Haven’t seen a QB kill his draft stock like this since Matt Barkley returned for his final season at USC. Again, I want ZERO parts of Spencer Rattler on my NFL teams or fantasy teams. ZERO

— Ray G ?? (@RayGQue) October 9, 2021

There's time for Rattler to improve this season and scouts will certainly take into consideration his full body of work, but the tape doesn't lie — he has not been the accurate signal caller you want to see as a NFL franchise hoping to draft its next savior.

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