The Oklahoma Sooners have long been a powerhouse in college football, but the past few seasons have been anything but smooth. Since Brent Venables took over as head coach, the team has faced growing pains, inconsistencies, and questions about whether they can return to dominance. Once a perennial playoff contender, Oklahoma has struggled to keep up in an evolving landscape.

The struggles became even worse when the Sooners played in the SEC for the first time in 2024. Unlike the Longhorns, who went on to play in the SEC Championship game, the Sooners finished 6-6, barely making it to a bowl game. However, that record still looks average on the paper. The worst bit is their conference record of 2-6, leaving fans wondering: Is Venables the right man to lead the Sooners back to the top?

Well, former Alabama quarterback and college football analyst Greg McElroy talked about it. He didn’t sugarcoat Oklahoma’s upcoming schedule, calling it a “gauntlet” and emphasizing just how difficult this move to the SEC will be: “There’s no denying that, the schedule’s very, very tough and it’s never going to be easy in the SEC.” With games against Michigan, Auburn, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU, the Sooners will have little room for error.

However, McElroy also pointed out that a fast start could change everything for Oklahoma: “If they can get off to a pretty decent start… that’d be massive because then you’re looking at a pretty decent back half of the schedule.” The home matchup against Michigan in Week 2 is a golden opportunity for Oklahoma to make an early statement. If they can follow that up with wins over Auburn on September 20th and a strong showing against Texas, the momentum could carry them through the SEC grind.

The key will be whether Venables can get his defense to step up and whether the offense can rise to the occasion in big moments. With a projected win total of just 6.5, many aren’t expecting much from the Sooners in Year 1 of the SEC era. But as McElroy suggested, if Oklahoma can find a way to survive September, “They’ll be able to carry over some of that momentum into October and November to become a real problem down the stretch.”

Well, amidst all this, the Sooners have gotten in Jim Nagy for “implementing a progressive new structure uniquely tailored to meet the most current challenges in college football.” Nagy brings in that experience that can be crucial in helping Venables through this tough schedule. Well, it’s not just Nagy who has joined the Sooners coaching staff.

Kevin Wilson returns to the Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners just got a familiar face back on staff—Kevin Wilson has returned as an offensive analyst. If you’ve followed OU football for a while, you know his name. Wilson was the offensive coordinator from 2002 to 2010, leading some of the best Sooners offenses, including the squad that made the 2008 BCS National Championship Game. Now, he’s back to help Brent Venables navigate the team’s move to the SEC. He can especially help Hawkins Jr. and help him reach the next level.

Wilson has been around. After leaving Oklahoma, he took the head coaching job at Indiana, spent time as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, and most recently, led Tulsa as head coach. But now he’s back in Norman, and his experience could be exactly what the Sooners need.

With Ben Arbuckle taking over as offensive coordinator, Wilson’s knowledge will be a huge asset. He knows how to build explosive offenses, and Oklahoma will need that firepower against SEC defenses. The schedule is brutal, but having a guy like Wilson around could make a real difference. For OU fans, this is a big win. Wilson knows the program, understands what it takes to win, and could help Venables get Oklahoma back on track. The SEC transition won’t be easy, but with the right minds in the room, the Sooners might surprise people.

For Venables, this season isn’t just about winning games—it’s about proving that Oklahoma belongs in the SEC. If they start strong and handle business early, the Sooners might surprise everyone. But if they stumble out of the gate, the road ahead could be a long and painful.