Josh Pate Criticizes SEC Schedule Makers for Oklahoma, Texas Disparity
In the world of college football, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is often viewed as the pinnacle of competition. With a history of dominating national championships and consistently producing elite talent, the SEC has long been a force in the world of college athletics. But in 2025, with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC, a new chapter in the conference’s history is beginning to unfold, one that has sparked considerable debate over the future scheduling structure and how the newcomers will fare in their first few years of competition.
One of the key figures in the conversation is Josh Pate, a prominent college football analyst known for his insightful commentary and critiques. Pate has been vocal about several issues surrounding the SEC’s expansion and, in particular, the way the conference has approached scheduling for Oklahoma and Texas. His criticism has centered around the disparity in the scheduling for the two teams—Oklahoma and Texas—as they make their transition into the SEC. According to Pate, the SEC schedule makers have created an uneven playing field that could impact the success of these two teams as they adjust to a higher level of competition in one of the toughest conferences in the country.
This article will dive deep into Pate’s criticisms of the SEC schedule, exploring the disparities in how Oklahoma and Texas will experience their initial seasons in the conference. It will also analyze the broader implications for the SEC, Oklahoma, Texas, and the college football landscape as a whole.
The SEC’s Expansion: Oklahoma and Texas Join the League
The SEC’s decision to invite Oklahoma and Texas to join the conference, which was announced in 2021, sent shockwaves through the college football world. These two teams, both historic programs with rich traditions, are expected to bring a new level of competition and excitement to the SEC. Oklahoma, a perennial powerhouse in the Big 12, has been a fixture in the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation for years. Texas, while not as consistently dominant in recent years, remains one of the most storied programs in college football history, and its move to the SEC is seen as a potential catalyst for revitalizing the program.
While the addition of Oklahoma and Texas has undoubtedly elevated the profile of the SEC, it has also presented significant logistical challenges for the conference. One of the most pressing concerns has been how the SEC would manage scheduling in a way that is fair and equitable for all of its member institutions. The SEC’s decision to move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2025, after years of playing just eight games, has only added to the complexity of this issue.
The Scheduling Controversy: Oklahoma and Texas Disparity
Josh Pate has been outspoken about the SEC’s handling of the scheduling for Oklahoma and Texas, particularly regarding the way the two schools have been treated differently in terms of their schedules for the 2025 season. His main criticism is that the conference has given Oklahoma a more favorable slate of games compared to Texas, leading to an imbalance in the challenges both teams will face as they enter one of the most competitive conferences in college football.
Pate’s primary concern lies in the fact that Oklahoma’s schedule for its inaugural SEC season appears to be more manageable than Texas’. The Sooners are slated to face a series of opponents that, while difficult, do not feature the same level of depth and difficulty as the teams Texas will face in its early years in the SEC. Oklahoma’s first season in the conference includes a mix of traditionally strong teams like Georgia and Alabama, but it does not have the same number of perennial SEC contenders on the schedule that Texas faces. Pate suggests that this imbalance could have a significant impact on the ability of Oklahoma to acclimate to the SEC environment, as they will have slightly more breathing room as they transition into the league.
On the other hand, Texas has been given a much more challenging start to their SEC journey. The Longhorns’ schedule features several brutal matchups against top-tier SEC teams like LSU, Auburn, and Florida, as well as perennial powerhouse programs like Georgia and Alabama. According to Pate, this disparity in scheduling is concerning, as it places Texas in a much more difficult position, one where their early-season struggles could be compounded by the intense competition they face week after week.
Pate’s Critique: Why the Disparity Matters
Josh Pate’s criticism of the SEC’s scheduling strategy is rooted in the idea that college football is a sport where first impressions can often shape a team’s trajectory for the entire season—and even the long-term future of a program. In this context, the disparity in how Oklahoma and Texas are scheduled in their first year in the SEC could have significant ramifications for both programs.
1. Recruiting Impact
One of the most significant aspects of Pate’s criticism is how the schedule disparity could impact the recruiting efforts of both teams. College football recruiting is heavily influenced by a team’s performance on the field, and the way a program is perceived by recruits can have a lasting impact on their decisions. If Texas is thrown into the deep end of the SEC pool with tough matchups right out of the gate, it could hurt the Longhorns’ reputation and make it harder for them to attract top-tier talent.
By contrast, Oklahoma may have an easier time maintaining a competitive record in its first season, which could help the Sooners’ recruiting efforts. A team that competes well in its inaugural season in the SEC is more likely to be seen as a program on the rise, which can be a major selling point for high school athletes considering their future college destinations.
2. Team Development and Confidence
Another factor that Pate points to is the potential impact on the development and confidence of the players. College football players, especially those in their first few seasons, rely heavily on early success to build momentum and gain confidence. Oklahoma’s more favorable schedule gives the Sooners a better opportunity to develop chemistry, understand the intricacies of the SEC, and gain confidence in a new system without being thrown into the fire immediately.
In contrast, Texas may struggle in its early SEC matchups, which could have a detrimental effect on the team’s confidence and development. Playing a difficult schedule in the SEC is bound to test the Longhorns’ mettle, but if they face too many losses early on, it could become a mental hurdle that hampers their progress throughout the season. This disparity in the teams’ experiences could set the Longhorns back while Oklahoma has a smoother transition into the conference.
3. Long-Term Impact on the Program
Beyond the immediate effects of the 2025 season, Pate argues that the disparity in scheduling could have long-term implications for both programs. For Texas, a challenging first season could set the tone for their initial years in the SEC, making it harder for the Longhorns to catch up to their more established conference rivals. The mental and emotional toll of an uphill battle could be more than the program is prepared for, leading to a longer rebuilding process and potential instability in the coaching staff and roster.
For Oklahoma, on the other hand, the more manageable schedule could give the program a head start in terms of acclimating to SEC competition. A successful first season could propel the Sooners forward, building momentum that could lead to further success in the years to come. By contrast, Texas could find itself struggling to gain traction, especially if the team faces a series of early losses.
The SEC’s Response to the Criticism
The SEC, as a conference, has not responded directly to Josh Pate’s criticisms, but it has certainly recognized the challenges posed by the addition of Oklahoma and Texas. SEC officials have expressed their commitment to maintaining the competitiveness and integrity of the conference, and they have emphasized that the expansion is ultimately about improving the quality of football across the board.
The SEC’s decision to move to a nine-game schedule in 2025 was made with the understanding that adding two teams to the conference would require a more balanced approach to scheduling. However, some critics argue that there are still underlying issues with how the schedule was set up for Oklahoma and Texas, particularly in light of the disparity that Josh Pate has highlighted. The SEC may need to reevaluate its scheduling methods and make adjustments to ensure that both teams are given an equal opportunity to succeed as they transition into their new conference home.