Brent Venables Makes Special Plans to Revive Spring Game After Making Decision on Cancelling

Have you ever seen a tradition get flipped on its head? Like, one minute, it’s the same old, and the next — it’s something completely new, something you didn’t even know you needed? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners ain’t running it back with the usual spring game. Nope. Brent Venables just hit the reset button, and what’s coming next might just be the future of spring football.

See, spring games across college football have been on life support for a minute. The sport’s shifting landscape — NIL, the transfer portal, player injuries — has made the traditional scrimmage feel more like a liability than a showcase. Big programs like Texas and Nebraska already ditched their spring games for something fresher, and now Oklahoma is stepping up to do the same. But they’re not just canceling — they’re reinventing.

The Oklahoma Sooners are ditching the traditional spring game in favor of something brand new — the “Crimson Combine.” Instead of the usual intra-squad scrimmage, this event will showcase players in Combine-style drills, skill challenges, and interactive fan experiences. No more running plays against each other just to risk an injury before the season even starts. Instead, fans get to see the athleticism up close, snag autographs, take pictures, and even hear from key figures like general manager Jim Nagy and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Oklahoma’s athletic director Joe Castiglione put it simply: “This ain’t just another scrimmage.”

“This is a brand-new spring football tradition for our fans,” Castiglione said. “Crimson Combine will spotlight our players while also giving our fans the ability to get closer to the action and have the chance to engage directly with our team and coaching staff. We’re planning some unique activities that will highlight our players and provide high entertainment value for everyone in attendance.” The program officially announced the change on Monday, setting the date for April 12 at 1 p.m. CT at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Look, this move ain’t just about giving the fans a show. It’s about keeping players healthy and staying ahead of the game. With the spring transfer portal being a wild, wild west situation and injuries always a risk, coaches across college football are rethinking their approach. Nebraska’s Matt Rhule already pulled the plug on his team’s spring game, citing tampering concerns. Texas? They’ve made some tweaks, too. Even Bama and Mighty Ohio State have adjusted their formats. It’s a trend, and Oklahoma’s hopping on before they get left behind.

Brent Venables in the ‘most to prove’ club?

Let’s keep it a buck — Venables ain’t exactly sitting pretty right now. Oklahoma fans don’t do losing seasons and the 6-7 record in 2024? Yeah, that ain’t it. With the Sooners now in the SEC, the heat has officially turned up for year 2.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly listed Venables among head coaches with the most to prove in 2025. “Oklahoma has suffered just two losing seasons in the past 26 years, and Brent Venables was in charge for both of them,” Connelly noted. “Venables has recruited well enough to fend off any major hot seat issues, but you eventually have to turn recruiting potential into on-field production.” Translation? Ain’t nobody trying to hear about potential anymore. This is Oklahoma. Winning is the standard. And if things don’t turn around in 2025, that hot seat might turn into an ejector seat.

If Venables wants to prove he’s the guy, he’s got to make a statement in 2025. The schedule? Brutal. The Sooners open with Illinois State — cool, that should be light work. But then, they welcome Michigan to Norman on September 6. Yeah, Michigan. Not exactly the warm-up game you’d want before diving into SEC play. And speaking of the SEC, Oklahoma’s first conference slate in 2024 was no joke. A year-two glow-up ain’t guaranteed. The Red River Rivalry against Texas on October 11 is always a war, but road games against Tennessee and Alabama? That’s big boy football. No more rolling through the Big 12 with a couple of tough games per year. Every week is a fight in the SEC, and Oklahoma’s gotta be ready.

Look, no one’s saying Venables can’t turn this thing around. But Oklahoma fans have seen this movie before. Great recruiting classes, offseason optimism, and then… well, disappointment. That ain’t gonna fly again. The Sooners did low-key score some major transfer portal and recruiting dub, grabbing John Mateer (QB with most total tuddies in FBS 2024) from the portal & landing 6’5″ 290 lbs five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi. That’s a huge piece for a team that needs to bulk up in the trenches. But recruiting wins don’t mean much if they don’t translate to game wins on Saturdays.

So, yeah, the Crimson Combine is a cool, fresh idea. But when the dust settles, the real test comes in the fall. And for Brent Venables, the clock is ticking.