As Oklahoma’s first run through the SEC gauntlet is about to get underway, the biggest concern regarding the program is on the offensive side of the ball. The Sooners are sitting at 3-0 on the season, with a #15 national ranking, but the offense has been underwhelming to say the least. Oklahoma ranks 67th in rushing and 114th in passing offense. Those aren’t the type of results that are going to build conference heading into conference play. So, what’s the problem?
You could say that the offense has been hit hard by the injury bug and that has had a direct affect on the production to this point of the season. You’d be absolutely correct. Possibly no unit has suffered more than the offensive line. Yet, there is more to the story.
The transfer portal has provided Oklahoma with guys like Michael Tarquin, Branson Hickman, and Febechi Nwaiwu. However, it also took the guy would would have been Oklahoma’s best player up front. Cayden Green looks to be on track to be a first-round NFL Draft pick when his college days are over. He’s now lining up at left guard for the Missouri Tigers, instead of the Sooners.
Green’s transfer brings up the topic of NIL, where programs now have to compete with other schools for player salaries. It’s no longer about academics and preparing you for the NFL. It’s now about dollars and coming up with the money to pay key guys, as well as knowing when you have to say no and just let a guy walk. Unfortunately, it seems at this moment that when Green walked out the door, so did the majority of Oklahoma’s potential along the offensive line.
What really brings out anger in Oklahoma fans is when you discuss how much this program was gutted when Lincoln Riley left. Particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Brent Venables is two seasons, and some change, into his rebuild, and he’s also on his second offensive coordinator after Jeff Lebby left to take the Mississippi State job in the offseason. Nine offensive line players on Oklahoma’s depth chart for the Tennessee game are either freshmen or sophomores.
Then there’s the problem of success. Over the last two years, seven offensive linemen have moved from Norman to various NFL opportunities. Of those seven Tyler Guyton, Andrew Raym, Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris all had eligibility left in a Sooner uniform.
The frustration is real, but so are the issues that led to the problem. It’s not just one contributing factor. It’s many! So, what’s the answer?
In the immediate, Oklahoma should have Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor back on Saturday, which will at least put everyone playing in their correct positions. Beyond that, it’s all about recruiting, and not just from the transfer portal. Bill Bedenbaugh brought in five offensive linemen with the 2024 recruiting class, and he currently has four commits for 2025, including Michael Fasusi who is the top-rated commit in the class.
Time is necessary for Oklahoma to get right up front. The inconvenient truth is that the Sooners don’t have time because the SEC is here. OU has a championship caliber defense that might get wasted due to the offense not being up to the challenge. That’s a stark contrast to the offenses of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts that were wasted because the defense couldn’t match the moment.
Time will tell the story. Venables will get it right. We just need to be patient. I’m sure this is way more difficult on them than it is for us.
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