Brent Venables’ third season in Norman ended the same way it started: with uncertainty. What began as a hopeful campaign quickly turned into one of the more turbulent seasons in recent Oklahoma history. From quarterback chaos to a midseason collapse, the Sooners trudged their way to a 6-7 finish that included a demoralizing loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl and a string of questions that carried into the offseason.
But somehow, amidst all the disappointment, a small ember of national belief remains.
In Sports Illustrated’s Preseason Top 25 for the 2025 season, Oklahoma just managed to sneak in, grabbing the No. 25 spot as a potential bounce-back candidate. SI’s Bryan Fischer summed up the national mood: “It would not be a surprise if Oklahoma became one of the most improved teams in the country simply as a result of having an offense that goes from atrocious to slightly above mediocre.”
Fischer didn’t sugarcoat the truth—and he didn’t need to. The 2024 Oklahoma offense was a disaster. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, once hailed as the program’s future, struggled to process defenses and deliver with consistency. His abysmal outing against Tennessee led to his benching the following week, paving the way for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. to start at quarterback for a stretch. Following Arnold’s entry into the transfer portal, it was Hawkins again leading the Sooners for the Sooners’ Armed Forces Bowl appearance.
That bowl game ended in embarrassing fashion, a 27-20 loss to Navy, and ultimately solidified the narrative of a season that spiraled out of control. Arnold entered the transfer portal shortly before the game, and Hawkins, though talented, was thrown into a no-win situation.
What followed was the kind of postseason shake-up that either marks a new era—or delays the inevitable.
A Season of Missed Opportunities
Oklahoma’s 2024 campaign will be remembered for its gut-wrenching October stretch, in which the Sooners lost three straight games to Texas, South Carolina, and Ole Miss. The Red River Rivalry, usually a program-defining moment, turned into a defensive collapse as the Longhorns exploded in the second half. A week later, South Carolina rode its SEC-tested toughness to a physical win, and Ole Miss delivered the final blow with a dominating performance at home.
That three-game slide turned a 4-1 start into a crisis. Despite showing promise earlier in the season, the Sooners were never able to regain their footing after the October tumble. They finished the regular season 6-6, narrowly keeping their bowl streak alive with a shocking upset of then-No. 7 Alabama in Norman on November 23.
It was the kind of win that, in isolation, would typically define a season. But instead, it served as an outlier—a moment of defiance amid chaos. Oklahoma’s offense had flatlined for much of the season, but found life just long enough to throw a wrench in the SEC standings. Yet, the fact remains: Littrell’s tenure as offensive coordinator was a massive mistake that ultimately set the program back, and the Alabama win did nothing to change the arc of the season.
Venables at a Crossroads
As Sports Illustrated put it, “the 2025 season will go a long way in determining whether Venables’s massive buyout gets paid in December or not.” That might sound harsh, but it’s grounded in truth.
Venables is 16-20 in his first three seasons at Oklahoma. That includes two losing seasons—something almost unheard of in Norman. The pressure, already high from following Lincoln Riley’s offensive juggernaut, has only intensified with the Sooners now entrenched in the SEC.
To his credit, Venables took swift and bold action this offseason. Gone is Littrell. In comes Ben Arbuckle, the 29-year-old offensive wunderkind from Washington State who brings with him a more modern, aggressive offensive identity. Alongside Arbuckle came a new quarterback: John Mateer, a transfer from Washington State who entered the portal and followed his OC to Oklahoma.
That pairing alone has fans cautiously optimistic. Mateer brings dual-threat capabilities and a fresh mindset, and Arbuckle’s system promises tempo, spacing, and downfield aggression—elements sorely missing from Oklahoma’s 2024 offense.
Venables also empowered new general manager Jim Nagy to attack the portal with urgency. In came Jaydn Ott, the dynamic former California running back, giving the Sooners a legitimate bell cow to anchor their new offense. On the outside, Oklahoma brought in several transfer wide receivers with speed and size, aiming to create more explosive plays and give Mateer the support he needs.
Defensive Turnover, but Foundation Remains
While much of the offseason focus has been on fixing the offense, Oklahoma also has holes to patch defensively. The departures of linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman—both NFL Draft picks—leave significant leadership voids. Ethan Downs and Da’Jon Terry, two veterans on the defensive line, also graduated out of the program and are pursuing professional dreams.
Still, the defensive foundation under Venables isn’t broken. Oklahoma ranked in the top half of the SEC in total defense for much of the year, and rising stars like linebacker Kip Lewis and safety Peyton Bowen are expected to take on more prominent roles. The defensive backfield, while young, boasts depth, and edge rushers like R Mason Thomas and Adepoju Adebawore could be breakout candidates.
The Road Ahead: Defining the Venables Era
Make no mistake: the 2025 season will define Brent Venables’ tenure at Oklahoma.
The SEC schedule is unrelenting. Trips to Columbia and Knoxville await, along with home dates against Auburn and LSU, among others. The Red River Rivalry looms again, and Alabama, a team with a lot of expectations on their own, will be looking for payback in Tuscaloosa. Yet Oklahoma has a more complete roster than last year, a new offensive identity, and a hunger that might finally turn close losses into breakthrough wins.
The national media isn’t buying in fully—but they aren’t writing Oklahoma off, either. A preseason No. 25 ranking from Sports Illustrated reflects both the skepticism and possibility that surround this program. This team isn’t expected to compete for a national title—but it is expected to be better.
And better may just be enough. If Venables can guide the Sooners to 8 or 9 wins and re-establish an offensive identity, he might buy the time needed to finish the rebuild. If not, Oklahoma will face another December filled with decisions—and potentially a coaching search.
The countdown has begun.
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