What do you do when your program’s been in the shadow of its own past glory days? Well, if you’re Brent Venables, you roll up your sleeves, lock in some serious QB talent, and pray you don’t get benched yourself or get kicked outta Norman. Ever since Lincoln Riley bolted, things in Norman have been colder than a polar bear’s toenails. But Oklahoma’s coach, Brent Venables, just got a huge win. A 4-star, 3000-yard, dual-threat quarterback—basically a Lane Kiffin special—just gave Sooner Nation a reason to get excited again.

Enter Bowe Bentley, a 6’2”-ish, 200-pound QB out of Celina, Texas, who’s been putting up Quinn Ewers high school numbers and torching Texas defense. This signal-caller ain’t your average 4-star outta Texas. Nah, he’s the type of player that defensive coordinators have nightmares about—3,330 yards passing, 47 touchdowns, plus another 933 yards and 16 scores on the ground. That’s certified baller status.

Bentley called Oklahoma’s recent offer from Venables and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, “This is huge for me being a childhood dream.” That’s got to sting for Lane Kiffin, who was already envisioning Bentley lighting up Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturdays. Bowe visited Ole Miss during week 11, when they dubbed over Kirby Smart’s No.2 ranked Georgia, and called it, “A true SEC experience.”

But let’s be real, Bentley’s been playing the field like a rom-com lead deciding between two love interests. A few months back, he was hyped about Ole Miss, calling them a “national championship contender.” And now, he’s all googly-eyed over Oklahoma’s offense. “Coach Arbuckle has really caught my eye and his plans for the offense,” Bentley admitted.

The Sooners desperately need a QB with Bentley’s dual-threat capabilities for the 2026 season. Especially after a 6-7 season where the offense was about as exciting as a 4-hour DMV visit.

Still, here’s the twist: Oklahoma already has a 4-star 2026 QB, Jaden O’Neal. So, are they stacking QBs for the drama or gearing up for SEC survival mode? Either way, Venables and Arbuckle aren’t playing games. They’re diving headfirst into what could be a high-stakes QB battle, all while giving Sooner Nation something they’ve been starving for—hope. Something Baker Mayfield used to give back in the 2010s.

Brent Venables’ 2025 season: All Gas, No Brakes

Let’s talk about the comeback. Oklahoma’s 2025 season has to be the football equivalent of a Rocky Balboa training montage. Venables knows his time in Norman is running out if he doesn’t deliver. But here’s the tea: The Sooners aren’t just sitting around waiting for a miracle. They’ve made some major moves, starting with snatching Washington’s QB John Mateer from the portal. They are trying to break the bank on Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, to add him to their coaching wishlist, and it’s clear they’re throwing Hail Marys before the season even starts.

The recruiting class is pretty good, either. Ranked No. 17 nationally, Oklahoma brought in 18 scholarship players. Headlined by 2 offensive tackles built like Mount Rushmore—Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje—and a wide receiver in Elijah Thomas. “They could be undefeated heading into Dallas,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said recently. And yeah, that sounds like peak optimism, but the Sooners are aiming to bring the heat to the SEC.

The Sooners finished the 2024 season with an offense that couldn’t even hit 30 points in an SEC game. Think about that—30 points. For Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield is probably somewhere shaking his head. But Ben Arbuckle’s offensive philosophy, paired with Mateer’s arm, has the potential to flip the script entirely.

2025 has to be a statement season for Brent Venables. Anything less than nine wins, and he’s out faster than a $Trump coin spike. But if this team clicks the way it’s supposed to—with Bentley waiting in the wings—they could not only make a playoff push but also silence all the “next Nebraska” whispers that have haunted them since Riley left. The Sooners are taking big swings, but hey, fortune favors the bold, right? Venables is betting it all, and if Bentley signs that dotted line, Norman could be buzzing again.