Paul Finebaum Deems 2025 a “Make or Break” Season for Oklahoma Football, Attributes Adjustments to Brent Venables
As college football fans turn their attention to the future, one of the most talked-about teams heading into the 2025 season is the Oklahoma Sooners. With a storied history of success and an unrelenting passion for the game, the Sooners are poised for what could be a pivotal season under head coach Brent Venables. According to ESPN’s college football expert Paul Finebaum, the 2025 campaign will be a “make or break” year for Oklahoma, with the future of the program possibly hanging in the balance.
In his analysis, Finebaum highlighted several key aspects of the team and Venables’ tenure that will determine the Sooners’ trajectory. While it’s still early to predict the exact outcome of the season, Finebaum believes that the adjustments being made by Venables and his coaching staff will ultimately shape Oklahoma’s fortunes moving forward.
The Stakes Are High for Oklahoma in 2025
The 2025 season will be crucial for the Oklahoma Sooners. After a challenging 2022 season that marked the beginning of Brent Venables’ tenure as head coach, the team showed signs of improvement in 2023. However, they fell short of making a deep run in the College Football Playoff or securing a Big 12 Championship. Now, with another year of experience under their belts, the Sooners are expected to take a significant step forward in 2025 — or risk falling behind in the increasingly competitive landscape of college football.
As Paul Finebaum noted, Oklahoma’s program has historically been a national powerhouse, but recent struggles have raised questions about its future under Venables. While the defensive-minded coach has shown promise, the Sooners will need to prove they can compete consistently at the highest level, especially with Texas and other teams in the Big 12 continuing to improve.
The pressure is on for Venables and his coaching staff to demonstrate that they have the formula to restore Oklahoma to its former glory. Finebaum’s use of the phrase “make or break” reflects the urgency of the situation for both the program and its head coach.
The Adjustments Made by Brent Venables
For Venables, 2025 will be a season of adjustments. Known for his defensive expertise, Venables inherited a team with a tradition of high-powered offenses but an underperforming defense. His focus in the early stages of his tenure was to transform Oklahoma’s defensive unit into one that could contend with the best teams in the country. This meant emphasizing fundamentals, discipline, and toughness on that side of the ball.
In 2025, Venables will need to see the fruits of his labor. The defense must continue to improve, particularly in critical moments of games where they struggled in the past. Oklahoma fans expect the defense to be a stronger force, able to complement what has historically been an explosive offense.
On offense, Venables has made adjustments by bringing in Kevin Wilson as an offensive analyst, someone with a wealth of experience coaching high-powered offenses. This move signals a shift in the program’s offensive philosophy, ensuring the Sooners remain competitive on that side of the ball. With a new addition to the staff and potential changes to offensive schemes, Oklahoma’s offense in 2025 could look very different from past seasons.
Venables also needs to focus on quarterback development. Dillon Gabriel, the current starter, showed flashes of his talent in 2023, but with Wilson’s expertise, there’s hope that Gabriel can take his game to another level. Oklahoma’s offense will likely rely on Gabriel to lead the way, and Venables will need to make sure he’s fully prepared to perform in high-pressure situations.
The Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff Ambitions
In 2025, the pressure is not only on Venables to improve the team but also to contend for a Big 12 Championship and a potential College Football Playoff spot. With the departure of Oklahoma’s long-time rival Texas to the SEC, the Sooners will need to establish themselves as the premier team in the Big 12 once again. The competition is fierce within the conference, but Oklahoma has the resources, talent, and coaching staff in place to make a run at the title.
A strong season in 2025 would not only restore confidence in the program but also signal that Venables is the right coach to lead the Sooners into a new era, one that keeps them relevant in the national championship conversation. Oklahoma fans, who have high expectations for the program, are eager to see if the team can make the leap from good to elite under Venables’ leadership.
Finebaum’s assessment of the season as “make or break” speaks directly to the fact that 2025 is a crucial year. If Oklahoma fails to meet expectations, it could raise questions about Venables’ long-term viability as head coach, especially considering the heightened competition in the Big 12 and the challenges the program faces as they head into a new chapter of their football history.
Key Areas of Focus for Venables and Oklahoma
As the Sooners prepare for the 2025 season, several key areas will be under scrutiny. These are the areas where adjustments need to be made for the team to take the next step.
- Defensive Improvements: Under Venables, the defense must continue to improve, particularly in the secondary and in generating pressure on the quarterback. Oklahoma’s defense showed progress in 2023, but in 2025, they must become more dominant and consistent, especially in big games.
- Offensive Playcalling and Execution: The Sooners have a history of high-powered offenses, but under Venables, the offense has not been as explosive as it has been in the past. With Kevin Wilson joining the staff, the offense is expected to improve in both execution and creativity. Venables will need to ensure that the offense continues to be efficient while maintaining its ability to score points quickly.
- Quarterback Development: Dillon Gabriel will be under the microscope in 2025. The Sooners need Gabriel to take the next step as a leader and playmaker. His performance will be critical to Oklahoma’s success, and Venables must make sure he is fully prepared to handle the pressure of a Big 12 Championship and playoff run.
- Recruiting and Depth: Venables’ recruiting efforts will play a significant role in Oklahoma’s future. The program needs to continue attracting top-tier talent, especially on defense, to build a deeper and more well-rounded team. Success on the recruiting trail will ensure that the Sooners can compete with the best teams in the country.
A Defining Year for Venables
For Brent Venables, 2025 will be a defining year in his coaching career at Oklahoma. His ability to adjust to the changing dynamics of college football, improve both the offense and defense, and guide the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship or College Football Playoff berth will determine the trajectory of the program. Oklahoma fans, players, and coaches are all looking to Venables to take the team to the next level after a period of transition.
Paul Finebaum’s “make or break” assessment of the season is a clear indicator of the heightened expectations for Oklahoma heading into 2025. With Venables at the helm, the Sooners must continue to improve, innovate, and adapt in order to compete for championships and maintain their place among college football’s elite programs.
In the end, 2025 will be a crucial season for Oklahoma football. If they succeed, Venables will solidify his position as the leader of the Sooners’ next great era. If they fall short, the program will need to reevaluate its direction, making this season one of the most important in recent memory.