Weekend Open Post | December 5th – 7th
Posted on: December 5, 2025
Post Game Thoughts | LSU
– Charlie S – Posted on: November 29, 2025
The Sooners beat LSU to finish the regular season with a 10-2 record.
OU’s next game will be in the College Football Playoffs. Who their opponent will be and where the game will be played is still left to be determined.
Here are my quick thoughts following the game: I only have two.
1*** The Sooners have the ability to beat any team in the country with this defense and the way they have been playing. Venables has built a monster that is as good, or better, than any defense he had at OU previously or at Clemson. ***ANY. TEAM***
2*** I could not be any happier for this community, the entire program, and Brent Venables. Brent has created a culture that truly is best defined by their recent slogan of ‘Hard to kill’ and he has built a locker room full of players and teammates who will not quit. He has built something for all of Sooner Nation to be proud of…whether you were team BV or not.
Thats it. My only immediate thoughts tonight.
Sunday Brunch | The Bounce Back is Sweet…Savor It
– Charlie S – Posted on: November 30, 2025
Oklahoma’s rise from a frustrating 6–7 finish in 2024 to a 10–2 resurgence in 2025 stands as one of the most impressive and electrifying turnarounds in college football this season. The transformation didn’t hinge on a single fix…it was a full-scale recalibration powered by roster maturity, coaching continuity, and a renewed identity on both sides of the ball. Brent Venables’ long-term defensive build finally detonated in the way fans had been waiting for, producing a unit that didn’t just survive games…it dictated them. Improved depth along the defensive line, faster and more reliable linebacker play, and a secondary that communicated with precision helped Oklahoma erase the explosive-play issues that had haunted the program just a season ago.
Offensively, the Sooners took a step forward, even if the unit still has room to grow. Stability at quarterback, a more cohesive offensive line, and a steadier run game (when called upon) allowed OU to play with better balance and far fewer self-inflicted wounds. And while the offense isn’t quite back to the turbocharged standard of past eras, it became tough, efficient, and timely…exactly what this team needed to turn last year’s heartbreakers into this year’s statement wins. When the defense needed support, the offense delivered just enough punch to complement a rising powerhouse on the other side of the ball.
Another major catalyst for this turnaround is the culture Brent Venables has entrenched in the locker room. After years of roster churn and shifting identities, the 2025 Sooners finally displayed in flashing lights the values Venables has preached since his return to Norman: accountability, toughness, discipline, and a fiercely unselfish, team-first mindset. Players consistently talk about the heightened competitiveness of practices, the leadership that holds teammates to unwavering standards, and the way younger players lock into expectations from day one. That cultural backbone has created a team that embraces adversity, plays with relentless effort, and approaches every week with unified purpose, a reflection of a program rediscovering its pride and edge.
Looking ahead, the future in Norman appears brighter than it has in years. Venables’ growth as a head coach has become undeniable, his game management, roster development, and program infrastructure have taken major steps forward. Just as crucial, Oklahoma’s revamped personnel department, now led by Jim Nagy, has modernized the Sooners’ talent evaluation and roster-building strategy. With sharper scouting, a cleaner alignment between recruiting and scheme, and a clear identity shaping the players OU brings in, the Sooners are positioned to sustain this momentum long-term.
And now, with Oklahoma punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff, the program has a golden opportunity to showcase just how far, and how fast, it has risen. This OU team isn’t just making an appearance…it’s stepping onto the sport’s biggest stage with confidence, toughness, and a style of football built for championship contention. If 2025 was the breakthrough, the Sooners’ playoff berth signals something even bigger: Oklahoma is officially back in the national spotlight…and it appears as though it may be built to stay there.
Position Group Progress Report | Game Twelve: LSU
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 1, 2025
Checking out how the position groups performed in the Sooners’ 17-13 regular season finale home win against LSU!
Oklahoma was a favorite at kickoff and they did not cover the spread.
This will be the twelfth progress report of the season. I will include the previous week’s ranking (preseason ranking in this case) at the top of each position group’s report in all subsequent progress reports!
Let’s see how things shook out against LSU.
QB: 1* (Last week: 3*)
John Mateer had the most yards he has thrown for since the Temple game.
He also threw three interceptions and missed a ton of easy throws.
While he did show improvement with seeing the field and staying strong in the pocket, he just could not throw the ball in the ocean while standing on the beach.
Not good enough by any stretch, but timely enough to allow OU to win the game.
RB: 2* (Last week: 2*)
It was good to see Tory Blaylock return to the scene, and he showed off some of that terrific burst and running with intentionality that he showed earlier in the year. That was about the only positive for the OU running game.
Xaver Robinson still looks like a one-legged running back, and there was a Jadyn Ott appearance, and the funny thing is, if Mateer made the right read on one play and handed the ball to him, he may still be running.
WR: 4* (Last week: 4*)
Made the most of their opportunities with a short-circuiting quarterback.
It took almost two full seasons, but we finally got to see that Deion Burks’ straight-line speed on a significant touchdown for the Sooners.
Isaiah Sategna keeps solidifying his claim as the best portal addition to make his way to Norman, as he had another long touchdown and is nearing the thousand-yard mark.
Javonnie Gibson continues to look better and better each week.
TE: 2* (Last week: 2*)
Rinse and repeat for this group.
Jaren Kanak is always open, and despite recording six catches, he could have had 12 if he had been targeted. The downside is, he is pretty useless in the blocking game still yet OU continues to ask him to do things he is simply not capable of.
Kaden Helms had one catch for 16 yards as well.
OL: 4* (Last week: 4*)
Some of y’all may not agree with this, but this group was the most impressive group for the Sooners on offense once again, and what was most impressive was how they did it.
The Sooners were forced to find a new center who moved over from guard, move a freshman who had been playing tackle back to guard, and start two other freshmen on the line while facing one of the best defenses in college football.
All they did was provide great pass pro and two total pressures from the line.
DL: 5* (Last week: 5*)
There were none of the usual flashy stats and fewer of the wow moments we have become accustomed to, but that had a lot to do with LSU not playing around and getting the ball out of Van Buren’s hand very quickly or putting him on the move by design.
Gracen Halton may have played the best complete game of his career in the last regular season game of his career in Norman. He was really on one against LSU, and he was beating guys and getting to mesh points and drop points at the same time the LSU players were. Dude almost picked off a pitch. He was an animal.
For the first time all season (I believe) David Stone did not lead the DTs in snaps (he had 28 while Haltton had 33 and Williams had 31) and I have to think that was by design to get those guys on the field for their last home game a bit more, but the three of them were dominant and Jayden Jackson flashed some of his pre-injury self.
EDGE: 4* (Last week: 5*)
Quiet night for the EDGEs, but certainly a steady night.
PJ Adebawore played a really strong game aside from a costly penalty and Taylor Wein was held a bit in cheek with the nature of the LSU offense, but he still played his role very well.
I thought MJJ put in another workmanlike performance, and the one thing that people questioned about him prior to seeing him was his ability to play down in and down out, and MJJ likely earned himself some money by playing every snap with focus and intensity throughout the year.
LB: 4* (Last week: 5*)
Steady performance from a steady group.
Not a lot of standout plays, but I thought Heinecke and Sammy Omosigho had strong days in their roles.
Kip and Kobie were their typical selves as they were in the right places at the right times.
Kendal Daniels had a really strong night, and he and Heinecke led the team in tackles.
CB: 5* (Last week: 5*)
The Sooner defense held the LSU offense to 113 yards passing, and the corners played a big role in that.
Eli Bowen was fantastic, and we forget the impact he has made since his return when he doesn’t pick off balls, but he truly has shut down his side of the field most of the time when he is in the game.
Courtland Guillory is a stud. Pay that man cause someone is going to want to pay him. He just continues to get better and better each week.
Overall, I thought the group played outstanding ball.
S: 5* (Last week: 4*)
Peyton Bowen has done what Billy Bowman has said he would do…which is become a better safety than Bowman was. His early interception and his late-game knockdown served as the bread on another spectacular sandwich of a game. He may be the best safety in the SEC right now with his coverage abilities and his willingness to shut down the run.
Robert Spears Jennings capped off a very strong second half of the season with another solid performance, and his leadership certainly impacts the team. He got a little loose in coverage, but his tackling and run game support have really stood out of late.
ST: 4* (Last week: 5*)
$andell made his kicks.
Miller punted well enough.
Sategna had an important return.
Jaydan Hardy had a huge play as he fought for and won a ball that bounced off a Sooner on a punt.
But the biggest play on the day for the STs may have been $andell getting in the way of a long kick return just enough to slow Barrion Brown and force him out of bounds.
Heater Update
– Super K – Posted on: December 2, 2025
That is four in a row. It wasn’t always pretty but pretty isn’t one of my metrics.
There is only one metric. Win five in a row.
BV has yet to win a game in the post season and this will be his chance to do two things that I personally think make a big statement about his growth as a coach…
Get that first post season win and win five in a row.
Based on various projections I’ve seen the Sooners possibly facing Notre Dame or Ole Miss among others. Both of those games are winnable.
In the case of Ole Miss, don’t think you want to be without your guru HC and facing a defensive guru who has already seen you once.
Oklahoma’s Biggest Transfer Portal Needs This Cycle
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 4, 2025
After the playoffs, no matter what happens, Oklahoma enters another critical offseason in the SEC era, Brent Venables and Jim Nagy and the staff face a transfer-portal window that will help define the Sooners’ competitive ceiling in 2026. Though OU has addressed key spots in recent years, roster attrition and uneven production have created several clear priorities.
Here is how I view the Sooners’ portal needs ahead of learning what the extent of attrition will be for the Sooners.
1. Tight End: The Top Priority
No room on the roster requires more immediate attention than tight end. Oklahoma has struggled to generate consistent production from the position, limiting both red-zone efficiency and schematic versatility. The Sooners need a veteran tight end who can block at an SEC level while also creating mismatches as a receiver, someone who can threaten seams, provide a reliable safety valve for the quarterback, and expand the offense’s formational options. Without such an addition, the offense’s ceiling remains capped.
2. Impact Wide Receiver
Beyond tight end, nothing is more important than landing at least one proven wide receiver who can change games. The Sooners’ receiver room has been thinned by departures and lacks high-end experience, making the search for a true No. 1 or No. 2 target essential. OU needs a wideout who can win against press coverage, convert on third downs, and give the passing game a dependable, explosive presence. Additional depth will help, but securing a top-line playmaker is the priority.
3. Offensive Line Depth and Stability
Despite previous additions, the offensive line will need reinforcement to withstand the physicality of an SEC schedule. We have seen two straight years of this room being injury ravaged. The group would benefit from at least one experienced interior player who can play center, and potentially another interior lineman who can step in immediately and challenge OU’s current depth chart. Improving depth, competition, and overall durability up front is critical, not only for pass protection but also for maximizing the impact of the Sooners’ backfield pieces.
4. Defensive Line Help After Significant Attrition
Defensive line, one of OU’s most stable rooms over the last two years, now faces notable attrition from departures and NFL declarations. The unit needs reinforcements both inside and on the edge. Adding a veteran interior lineman who can anchor against the run is particularly important, as is securing a rotational pass rusher to maintain pressure and depth throughout SEC play. OU’s defensive system relies on disruptive, fresh bodies up front, and portal additions at defensive tackle and defensive end will be vital to sustaining the defense’s momentum. Yes, OU has very high end talent already, but they could stand to bring in some additional depth.
5. Linebacker Depth
Linebacker remains another area where additional experience would help solidify the defense, especially with the uncertainty among some of the guys who may declare for the draft or run out of eligibility. While the Sooners have recruited decently, they still need portal-ready contributors who can handle the physicality of the conference, support the run, and stay disciplined in coverage. Injuries and rotation demands make depth here essential, and a multi-positional linebacker with hybrid traits would be especially valuable.
Final Thoughts
The portal has become a cornerstone of roster building, and for Oklahoma, this cycle presents a chance to fill critical gaps with players who can contribute immediately. Tight end stands as the most urgent need, followed closely by the pursuit of an impact wide receiver. From there, bolstering the offensive line, restocking the defensive front, and adding depth at linebacker will give the Sooners a more complete and resilient roster heading into the 2026 season.
Review of Preseason Prediction and the Incredible Defense That Almost Wasn’t
– Super K – Posted on: December 4, 2025
You’ll recall that back in August I made the following prediction about this upcoming season (HERE):
I think both the ceiling and the floor are higher this year. So I think my ceiling is now 10-2. I think my floor stays at 7-5, but that’s up from last year’s results.
I’ll be honest, though, I’m leaning more in the direction of the floor than the ceiling. Why?
Obviously the Sooners hit dead on the upper end of the range at 10-2. But as I noted, I was leaning more towards the bottom end of that range despite liking the team on paper.
So, in the August post, I asked “why” and at the time, offered my line of thinking (again see original August post link above for more):
Four reasons…
***Schedule is very tough. I’m having a hard time seeing a guaranteed win (outside of the three layups), and if I’m pressed on that, I’d say Missouri and Tennessee, and both of those teams still have players. But if I give OU both of those, it’s guaranteed. I get five locked wins. Even if I give them Auburn (which I think is a scary game), that gets me six; let’s say I give them Ole Miss, as well. That gives me seven. Again, Ole Miss is reloaded, as well.
It’s not that OU isn’t talented enough to beat every team they play. It’s that they have play up to their talent every week or it won’t be enough. In the Big 12, they only had to do that once or twice per year.
***The jump for Arbuckle and Mateer. As I said, I feel like there could be some growing pains here.
***Injuries still concern me. OU has just been so snake-bitten the past year or so.
***Lastly, I’m just never sure what we’re going to get from Brent. That first half of the Texas game a couple of years back was amazing. It was what we always thought we’d get from Brent. A defense that was flying around and an aggressive offense. Then they let Texas come back. Then they gave the fans a drive for the ages to win it. The game captured the ups and downs of BV’s tenure. When all the excitement was over, the next week OU almost lost to UCF.
So let’s examine those four reasons I offered back in August now that the season has played out.
***The first concern was the schedule. Probably the best prediction of the season that we all repeated over and over in the off-season because we’d heard it from Sooners inside the building was that every game was going to be close. We’d heard from folks close to the program that the Sooners could literally win and lose every game on their SEC schedule. That played out even as it came to a demoralized and leaderless LSU team. But the Sooners won almost all of those close games. That takes us to point two…
***The prediction about the jump for Mateer and Arbuckle turned out to be an even bigger concern than I had anticipated but it was the right concern. I think this is a big enough concern that while you’re not going to switch your OC again, you’re going to need to have some serious talks about what the offensive identity will be in light of what the team as a whole is going to be. Additionally, you’re going to need to figure out if Mateer is the right guy and if so, how do you maximize what he does well because right now, he does not look like an Air Raid QB.
***OU avoided having many major injuries especially on the side where it mattered most – the defense. The defense and the kicker carried this team and it really isn’t close or disputable. Which brings me to the final point…
***I’ll say two things here. First, this is the point I’ve been making all season about Brent being able to go on a five game heater. He is now on four and he is finally showing his ability to put a consistent predictable product on the field. Until this season, we simply hadn’t seen it. But, it’s connected to something else that I did not anticipate and it’s, again, the reason we hit the top of my record prediction range and not the bottom…
***I knew the defense would be good and I knew Brent had been heavily involved in the defense for the first three seasons at OU. But I had no idea that the defense could be as good as it is. Why? Because if Brent calling the defense can make that kind of difference (controlling for the talent acquisition over the years), I never would’ve imagined he’d relinquish an iota of control to Theodore Roof, Zachary Alley or even Jim Knowles, for crying out loud!
***Remember, the Sooners pursued Jim Knowles. So by that logic, I’m thinking Brent sees his hands on the defense in 2025 as somewhat similar to what Knowles (or if Alley had stayed, Alley) would’ve brought to the defense.
***I can almost guarantee you, if Alley or even Knowles were the DC this year, the Sooners aren’t 10-2 and the defense isn’t at the level of competency and outright dominance and supremacy that it is.
***I don’t know if Brent simply underestimated himself or thought more highly of those guys than he should’ve or if he felt his services were required elsewhere. But it’s precisely point four in my predictions that allowed this team to go 10-2 – it was Brent himself.
***Oddly enough, it was a decision foisted on Brent, not one he would’ve chosen himself. He didn’t want Alley to leave. He did want to hire Knowles. Had he gotten his way, he wouldn’t have been the DC and the defense wouldn’t have been, IMO, at the level it needed to be in order to make up for the deficiencies on the other side of the ball.
***Fate intervened and Brent did what he does best: call a dang stellar defense, and nearly no offense has so far been able to do much about it.
