Noah Best on the OL after Texas performance: 'Sky's the limit'

The Oklahoma Sooners have had a rough start offensively this season. The Sooners rank No. 128 in total offense, No. 92 in passing yards per game, No. 131 in rushing yards per game and No. 103 in scoring offense.

The offensive line has struggled this season, and it's also dealt with a lot of injuries. Preseason projected starters Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, Eddie Pierre-Louis and Jake Maikkula have missed at least one game due to injury. Fasusi is arguably the team's best player. He's only played one game so far.

That put pressure on the other guys to step up. One of those is freshman Noah Best, who has started several games for the Sooners this year. He said that in the second half against the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma's offensive line improved, which is why he expects big things moving forward.

"We had a slow start, especially coming out at the start of the year," Best said via SoonerScoop. "I think the more and more that we play together and get more confident, all that stuff, the sky's the limit."

Best's optimism reflects what Oklahoma needs most right now: consistency up front. The second-half improvement against Texas offered a glimpse of what the offense can look like when the line creates running lanes and gives quarterback John Mateer more time to operate. As the unit gains experience playing together, the Sooners will hope those flashes become a regular part of their game.

The upcoming game with the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats gives the offensive line another chance to prove the progress is real. Staying healthy, communicating effectively, and establishing the run will be essential if Oklahoma wants to take pressure off Mateer and balance its offense. Best and his teammates have already shown signs of growth; now they must turn that promise into production that can carry the Sooners through the rest of the season.