Can Brent Venables' squad finally return to glory, or will familiar setbacks hold them back?
Oklahoma enters the 2025 season at a crossroads. The Sooners have the roster to win double-digit games and make a playoff push, but questions around coaching direction and quarterback play loom large. With the SEC grind ahead, two storylines stand above the rest, both carrying the weight of the program's future.
Can John Mateer Answer the Quarterback Question?
John Mateer steps into the spotlight with the chance to give Oklahoma the spark it has been missing. A dual-threat talent, Mateer can change games with his arm and legs. But the Sooners' offense relies on more than just his highlights. If the offensive line shows real growth after a rough 2024, and if Mateer builds chemistry with his receivers, Oklahoma's attack could become one of the SEC's most dangerous. A strong season from him could keep the Sooners in playoff conversations deep into November.
Will Brent Venables Betting on Himself Payoff?
After Zac Alley's exit, Brent Venables will run the defense himself. It's a bold move. Venables' defenses are known for relentless pressure, and with edge rushers like P.J. Adebawore and Marvin Jones Jr., he has the personnel to wreak havoc. But the added responsibility raises the question, can Venables juggle both head coach duties and defensive play-calling? The answer may decide not just Oklahoma's season, but his future in Norman.
Oklahoma football is at a breaking point. Mateer's development and Venables' gamble on defense won't just shape this year, they may determine whether the Sooners finally rejoin college football's elite or face another season of frustration.