It’s been an offseason of soul-searching in Norman. After finishing a jaw-dropping 98th in scoring offense in 2024. Oklahoma needed more than just a tune-up—they needed a full-system reboot. The Sooners have seen sweeping changes across the offensive side of the ball, and just as the dust was settling, they watched DC Zac Alley bolt for West Virginia after just one season. Brent Venables, again, like a battle-worn general grabbing the headset mid-fight, decided to take back defensive play-calling duties himself. Instead of finding an Alley replacement, the Sooners HC pulled a Thanos, declaring, Fine, I’ll do it myself!

But not everyone in SEC circles is sold that Venables’ solo act will be enough to stop the walls from caving in. On That SEC Football Podcast, a candid conversation between Mike Bratton and Steven Lassan veered into chilling territory when the topic shifted to which SEC team might fall apart this season. “Oklahoma, Florida, A&M, Ole Miss,” Mike said. “Again, I got the first three 9-3. I got Ole Miss 8-4. And you could convince me to put Ole Miss 9-3 and any of these others at 8-4. Of those four, which one would surprise you the least they missed a bowl game?” It was a heavy question. And Steven’s answer was even heavier.

“I’m going to contradict myself here. So, I’d probably go Oklahoma,” Lassan said. “As much stock as I’m buying, I mean, it would not shock me with that schedule. Just given the difficult schedule and the new pieces like OC, quarterback, offensive line, running back, what if it doesn’t come together?” That “what if” isn’t casual. It’s a red flag waving over Norman.

Lassan continued, “What if they just miss Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman that much on defense? I don’t think they will. But what if the offense just doesn’t hit like we think? Mateer struggles more against SEC competition. Much like Auburn, it feels like Oklahoma’s sort of variance this year is very wide. Like they could finish 9-3, they could also finish like 6-6. If things really go wrong, like injuries, then they’re sweating out a bowl bid.” That’s a brutal projection for a blue-blood entering the deep end of the SEC pool.

And the questions don’t stop there. 247Sports’ Carter Bahns raised the alarm in a top-25 breakdown, pointing squarely at the biggest gamble in Norman—Venables retaking the defensive reins. “Will Brent Venables’ defensive play calls make a difference? An upgrade in defensive tactics only goes so far for the Sooners, as the offense accounts for greater issues,” Bahns wrote. “Venables handling the play-calling duties comes with upside, but it may not be enough to lift OU to the next level.” In short, even if the defense improves, the offense could still drag them under.

But if Brent Venables is nervous, he’s not showing it. When asked earlier this spring why he’s assuming play-calling duties again, the head coach doubled down. “Why am I going to call the defense? Because I’m good at it and I’m confident in it,” Venables said. “We’ve got a great staff. And if I’m going to be successful and the players are going to be successful, the product is going to be what we want it to be, it’s going to take all of us.” The man knows defense. His Clemson years made that clear. But now, he’s banking on himself in a conference where even small slip-ups become death sentences.

And this team can’t afford many. John Mateer needs to work, but the offense is an unproven puzzle—new OC, new O-line starters, new running backs, all expected to gel instantly against the SEC’s nastiest front sevens. The loss of defensive cornerstones like Stutsman and Bowman won’t be masked easily either. Brent Venables might be a master tactician, but if the talent doesn’t rise, schemes won’t save them. That’s what makes this Oklahoma season so volatile. There’s no middle ground.

Pressure cooker: Finebaum warns Brent Venables must start hot or risk meltdown

Paul Finebaum isn’t one to mince words, and when it comes to Oklahoma’s upcoming season under Brent Venables, he’s raising a few caution flags. On The Paul Finebaum Show, the longtime SEC voice didn’t sugarcoat the reality that the Sooners are walking into this fall.

“I think to navigate the schedule, he has to win those first games,” Finebaum said. “He has to beat Michigan. He has to deal with Temple on the road and beat Auburn. Because otherwise it becomes overwhelming and he doesn’t need a collapse down the stretch with already a couple of losses.”

The margin for error is razor-thin in Norman. OU opens with a five-game stretch that includes Illinois State, Michigan, Temple, Auburn, and Kent State—all before the Red River Rivalry clash with Texas. It’s not just about getting through that stretch; it’s about coming out unscathed. Finebaum’s point is clear: if Venables drops a couple of those early contests, things could unravel fast, especially with the back half of the schedule looking like a minefield. A strong start isn’t just helpful—it might be essential for him to keep the Sooners’ momentum… and his job.