The 2025 college football season is still months away, but the predictions are heating up. CBS Sports’ Will Backus dropped his post-spring SEC power rankings, and Oklahoma isn’t sitting pretty. Yes, after a rough 6-7 finish last year, Brent Venables’ Sooners landed at No. 9 in the league, wedged between Texas A&M and Auburn. However, expectations? Let’s just say they’re keeping it humble in Norman. So, are the Sooners really not poised for a comeback this season?

Okay, Brent Venables knows the heat is on in Norman—and he’s not sitting still. With pressure mounting, the Sooners’ HC shook up the staff and grabbed the defensive reins himself. He’s calling the shots on that side of the ball again, going back to what he does best. But he didn’t stop there. Venables handed the offense to new OC Ben Arbuckle, a rising star known for lighting up scoreboards at WKU and Washington State. Interestingly, Arbuckle brought QB John Mateer with him, aiming to inject life into OU’s sluggish attack. So, all eyes will be on how Venables juggles the headset—because calling plays is one thing. Running the whole show is another.

Brent Venables and the Sooners just landed in the spotlight—and not in the softest way. On the May 16 episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, things got heated around the latest CFP chatter. Pate didn’t hold back while breaking down FanDuel’s CFP comparison board and some bold viewer predictions. He said, “This one’s creative. This is a good one — good friend DG in Houston—he said at least three of these teams will be in the final four. And he puts LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Clemson.” That’s a wild projection, especially with Oklahoma trying to climb back into contention after a rocky ride in 2024.

However, Josh Pate didn’t sugarcoat it when diving deeper into the bold CFP prediction. Look, he pointed out the odds: Ohio State leads the pack, Clemson sits at No. 7, LSU at No. 9, and Oklahoma trails at No. 17. Then came his take. “Now, I’m going to put a 9.75 on this prediction,” he said. While he admitted he’s a bit higher in Oklahoma than Vegas, he didn’t ignore reality. “Oklahoma’s over/under win total is 6 and a half,” noted Pate. Now, with a brutal schedule ahead with programs like LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Vols, Ole Miss, Gamecocks, and more, he made it clear—getting the Sooners to the Playoff will be a serious challenge, even if they improve.

But Josh Pate kept it real when breaking down the bold Final Four prediction. He said even if LSU, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Ohio State all make the Playoff, three of them still need to advance. That’s where bracket luck comes into play. “What if two of them face off in a first round or second round?” he asked. It’s not just about making the cut, it’s about surviving the matchups. Following that, Pate said, “You’ve got to have all of them — I mean, you’ve got to have all of them advance.” However, calling the shot on 75% of the Playoff field? “I’m putting 9.75 on that one,” said Pate, acknowledging just how tough that prediction really is.

While Brent Venables’ CFP dream is still up in the air, the head coach just received a message about his quarterback.

Brent Venables’ QB1 received nothing but praise

Brent Venables woke up in 2025 with one hard truth: the SEC isn’t the Big 12, and Oklahoma felt that sting. After a brutal season that left fans frustrated and restless, Venables hit the panic button—because his job might just depend on it. But then May 14 brought a spark. On3’s J.D. Pickell sat down with OU GM Jim Nagy, who couldn’t stop raving about one name: John Mateer. Last season, Oklahoma’s offense was a disaster—126th in YPG, 110th in scoring—pure chaos. Instead of folding, Venables went all-in on redemption. He grabbed Mateer, the nation’s 2024 TD leader, and reunited with QB whisperer Arbuckle to call the shots. Now, with a brutal schedule ahead, this bold move could flip the script.

Well, Jim Nagy isn’t holding back when it comes to John Mateer. “Getting John Mateer—he’s a difference maker,” said Nagy. “You gotta have that guy if you’re gonna win at a really high level… And now to bring in John, I think he’s kind of the next one in line.” Nagy is quick to add, “I’m not trying to put pressure on John… but he’s built for that.” With a resume packed with legends like Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray, OU knows what it takes at QB. However, Nagy’s confident Mateer is ready to deliver a vintage Sooners season. To be honest, the excitement is real, and the Sooners faithful are buzzing for what’s next.

Here, Jim Nagy didn’t hold back, saying, “After watching three games and going through spring, John’s better than I thought.” Moreover, he added, “He’s got something you can’t coach—a true leader.” Familiarity with Coach Arbuckle’s offense gives Mateer an edge, especially with so many new faces on offense. Simply put, Oklahoma finally has a QB that opponents will lose sleep over. So, the Sooners might just be back in business.