The 2024 college football season was a rude awakening for several programs stepping into new conferences – and few fell harder than the Oklahoma Sooners.
After dominating the Big 12 for nearly 20 years, Oklahoma’s highly anticipated debut in the SEC turned sour.
Under head coach Brent Venables, now entering his fourth season, the Sooners stumbled to a 6–7 record – marking Venables’ second losing campaign since taking over in Norman.
Before Venables’ arrival, Oklahoma hadn’t suffered a losing season since 1998.
Now, with back-to-back years of inconsistency and a rocky start in their new conference home, the pressure is mounting.
If things don’t improve quickly in 2025, Venables could find his seat getting uncomfortably warm.
Still, some believe the Sooners have the pieces to bounce back – starting at quarterback.
“Oklahoma is a team that if you get good quarterback play, they go from a team that’s in the bottom tier of the SEC to quickly being a team that you don’t want to play,” college football analyst David Pollack said on his See Ball, Get Ball podcast.
Last season’s quarterback carousel was emblematic of Oklahoma’s broader offensive issues.
Former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold began the year as the starter but was benched during a Week 4 clash with Tennessee after a string of underwhelming performances.
True freshman Michael Hawkins stepped in for three games but also struggled. Arnold eventually returned to finish the season, only to transfer to Auburn at year’s end.
The offensive woes didn’t stop at quarterback. The Sooners finished the 2024 season ranked 113th in total offense, 119th in passing yards, 76th in rushing, and 97th in scoring offense.
Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell was let go before the season concluded – his first year at the helm.
In his place, Oklahoma hired Ben Arbuckle away from Washington State. Along with his up-tempo Air Raid system, Arbuckle brought in a proven quarterback in John Mateer.
Last season, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 826 yards and adding 15 scores on the ground.
Pollack believes that offensive upgrade could be the spark Oklahoma needs – especially with Venables’ defense still performing at a high level.
The Sooners finished No. 19 in total defense last year, and that unit remains the team’s foundation.
“You know what you’re going to get from a Brent Venables defense,” Pollack added. “They’re going to play hard, they’re going to play smart, and they’re going to be aggressive.”
Pollack added that if the Sooners can finally deliver consistent play on offense, especially under Mateer, they could become a dangerous sleeper in the SEC.
Venables may be under pressure heading into 2025, but with a new offensive coordinator, a promising quarterback, and a strong defensive core, Oklahoma’s redemption arc may already be in motion.
What are your thoughts on Pollack’s comments?
Are you a believer in the Sooners? … Will they be a dangerous team to watch out for this coming season???
