The Southeastern Conference’s slogan might be “It just means more,” but for Oklahoma, it’s becoming clear that it means a lot more struggle. In their first year in the SEC, the Sooners looked outmatched and overwhelmed, despite a high-profile win over No. 7 Alabama late in the season. The reality? Oklahoma finished 2-6 in SEC play, their worst conference record since 1997, and their second consecutive losing season under head coach Brent Venables.
This makes Venables only the second OU coach in the last century to have multiple losing seasons, joining John Blake, who was dismissed after his third losing campaign. With pressure mounting, Venables faces an urgent task of turning the program back into a contender. The Sooners struggled with a brutal schedule, facing seven of the SEC’s top nine teams. But back in the Big 12, Oklahoma was known for dominating the best teams—losing to middle-of-the-pack squads was rare.
Things went from bad to worse in their bowl game, where Oklahoma suffered a shocking 21-20 loss to Navy. While the Midshipmen had a strong season, a loss to a non-powerhouse team like Navy is uncharacteristic of the Sooners, even in a down year.
There’s still hope for Oklahoma. Their defense showed promise in 2024, and they’re adding transfer quarterback John Mateer from Washington State. With strong receiver depth and key offensive weapons, the Sooners have the potential to bounce back—if they can stay healthy.
But the challenges ahead in 2025 are daunting. The Sooners will face Michigan in Week 2 and a tough slate of SEC opponents including Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU. If Venables doesn’t turn things around soon, it may be time for a change in leadership. Oklahoma’s road in the SEC is only getting tougher—can Venables rise to the challenge?
