Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners have found themselves in the national spotlight once again—but this time, it’s not because of a marquee win or a five-star commitment. Rather, it’s the product of perception—how the Sooners are viewed nationally as they transition into one of the most important seasons in recent memory. According to a prominent college football analyst, Oklahoma is not only back, they’re elite. A Top 10 program. A legitimate contender. But is that view too lofty?
Oklahoma has always commanded respect within college football circles. The program’s pedigree is virtually unmatched—seven national championships, seven Heisman Trophy winners, and a legacy built by legends like Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, and Bob Stoops. But ever since Lincoln Riley’s departure and the move to the SEC became official, there’s been an ongoing conversation about where the Sooners fit in the national hierarchy. Are they rebuilding? Are they reloading? Or are they, perhaps, simply rebranding under Venables into a tougher, more defensively-sound version of themselves?
In the eyes of at least one major national voice, the transformation is not only real—it’s nearly complete. “Oklahoma is absolutely a Top 10 team entering this season,” the analyst said on a recent podcast. “They’re going to surprise a lot of people who haven’t been paying attention. Venables has built this roster to be fast, physical, and mature. It’s not a finesse team anymore. It’s an SEC team.”
That’s high praise, especially considering the Sooners haven’t finished in the Top 10 since 2020. But is it warranted?
To answer that question, one must first examine what Brent Venables has done since taking over in Norman. His first season, in 2022, was a forgettable 6–7 campaign. The defense—supposedly his specialty—ranked 122nd in total yards allowed. The offense, under then-quarterback Dillon Gabriel, was inconsistent and often played from behind. It was a humbling experience for a fanbase used to dominance.
But 2023 was a different story. The Sooners improved to 10–3 and flirted with Big 12 title contention for most of the season. The defense made a major leap, finishing in the Top 40 nationally in both scoring and total defense. The offense wasn’t elite, but it was efficient and balanced. Perhaps most important of all, the team played with a noticeably different edge—a reflection of Venables’ intense, no-nonsense approach.
Recruiting has also surged under his leadership. The Sooners brought in a Top 10 class in 2024, led by blue-chip defensive linemen, a five-star safety, and several versatile offensive skill players. Venables has made it a priority to target players who fit his culture-first mindset—tough, smart, and relentless. Add in a couple of key transfer portal additions, and the Sooners’ roster has taken on the look of an SEC contender.
But optimism alone doesn’t win football games. And the question remains: is a Top 10 ranking an accurate reflection of where Oklahoma stands?
On paper, there’s certainly a case to be made. The Sooners return several key starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, one of the most heralded signal-callers in recent Oklahoma history, is expected to take full control of the offense after learning behind Gabriel. Arnold has elite arm talent and mobility, and insiders have raved about his growth and command of the playbook this offseason. If he can be even 80% of what Caleb Williams was during his Oklahoma stint, the Sooners will be in great shape offensively.
Around him, the weapons are plentiful. Wide receiver Nic Anderson is a bona fide breakout candidate, and Jalil Farooq gives Oklahoma a reliable possession target. The running back room, while not overflowing with stars, is deep and experienced. The offensive line—always a strength under Bill Bedenbaugh—returns three starters and has been bolstered by a pair of impact transfers.
Defensively, the Sooners could be the best they’ve been in over a decade. Danny Stutsman’s return gives them a legitimate All-American-caliber linebacker in the heart of the defense. The secondary is loaded with experience, and the defensive front—long the Achilles heel of recent OU teams—looks both deeper and more explosive thanks to improved development and talent acquisition.
Beyond the roster, the schedule might be Oklahoma’s biggest advantage. In their first season as members of the SEC, the Sooners avoid Georgia and LSU, and they get Tennessee and Alabama at home. While every SEC schedule is a gauntlet, Oklahoma’s 2025 slate is, by comparison, manageable. If they can split those marquee games and handle the rest of their business, a 10-win season is absolutely on the table.
Still, skepticism is natural. The Sooners haven’t proven they can win at the highest level under Venables—not yet. The Red River loss to Texas in 2022 was embarrassing. The Cotton Bowl defeat to Florida State later that year underscored how far the program had slipped from the Lincoln Riley years. Even in 2023, with tangible improvement, Oklahoma lost to rival Oklahoma State and was eliminated from Big 12 contention before Championship Saturday.
And then there’s the SEC. The transition will not be easy. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, and even Texas are not just talented—they’re battle-tested. They’ve been through playoff wars, faced elite defensive fronts week in and week out, and recruited at a level that Oklahoma has only recently begun to match. Venables may be changing the culture in Norman, but whether it can yield immediate results in the SEC remains to be seen.
History suggests that first-year SEC transitions don’t always go smoothly. Texas A\&M shocked the world in 2012 with Johnny Manziel, but even they plateaued shortly after. Missouri had a couple of early surges, but eventually settled into the middle tier. Nebraska, when it joined the Big Ten, never fully regained its swagger. Oklahoma fans are hoping their trajectory looks more like Texas, who enters the 2025 season as a legitimate playoff threat and title contender.
For that to happen, everything has to go right. Arnold must be a star, not just a starter. The defense has to be more than “improved”—it has to be game-changing. The offensive line must hold up against SEC pass rushers. And Venables has to show he can win close games, make the right in-game adjustments, and keep his team locked in over a grueling, physical schedule.
So, is a Top 10 ranking too high?
The answer depends on perspective. If you’re evaluating based on past performance, then yes—perhaps it’s a stretch. Oklahoma hasn’t won a conference title since 2020. They haven’t made the College Football Playoff since 2019. Their coach, while respected, has yet to win a conference championship or a major bowl game. That’s not the typical résumé of a Top 10 program.
But if you’re projecting forward—taking into account roster talent, culture, development, and potential—then Oklahoma absolutely belongs in the conversation. There are only a handful of programs in the country with a better combination of coaching infrastructure, returning production, and favorable schedule.
In many ways, Oklahoma is a sleeping giant. Venables may not have been the flashiest hire, but he’s methodical. He’s principled. He’s building something that feels sustainable, not just explosive. And that matters in an SEC world where toughness, discipline, and depth are prerequisites to success.
The national analyst may have sparked debate, but the truth is this: Oklahoma doesn’t need to justify their ranking in May. They’ll do it in the fall. They’ll do it when Jackson Arnold walks into Bryant-Denny Stadium and takes his first SEC road snap. They’ll do it when Stutsman lines up against the Tennessee offensive line and proves he belongs in the Butkus conversation. They’ll do it when the lights are brightest and the margin for error is thinnest.
Until then, the Sooners can embrace the hype. Let the analysts debate. Let the critics question. Because if Brent Venables has truly built what he believes he’s building in Norman, then the Top 10 won’t be a reach—it’ll be the new standard.
Are you buying the Sooners as elite in Year 3 of the Venables era?