The Oklahoma Sooners’ debut SEC season ended with a thud, and the Armed Forces Bowl was like the sour cherry on top of a forgettable year. After a rollercoaster 6-6 season, they had a 14-0 lead over Navy and seemed ready to finish strong. But then, disaster struck! It was like watching the Titanic go down—they sank fast, ending the season with a disappointing 6-7 record. But now, as Brent Venables looks to turn things around next season, it feels like the iceberg might still be ahead.

It’s clear that the Oklahoma Sooners had a terrible season this time, and there’s considerable doubt about whether next season will be any better given the tough schedule. At least Cousin Shane believes so, as he said, “The schedule is brutal. You’ve got Michigan, Auburn, Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Bama, Missouri, and LSU. There are a lot of landmines. We talked about how tough Florida’s schedule is—Oklahoma may have the toughest one next year. Because of that, I’m selling. I think Oklahoma, and again, preseason doesn’t really mean much, but I think nine of these teams on Oklahoma’s schedule are going to be ranked in the preseason.” That can be true to some extent.

Taking a look at Oklahoma’s 2025 schedule, it becomes evident that this will be a grueling stretch. Starting with a game against Kansas State, followed by matchups against Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, the road doesn’t get any easier. Even after a less-than-helpful bye week, they will face off against Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. Last season, seven out of these nine teams finished with a winning record in their respective conferences, making this a challenging stretch based on their previous performances—an uphill battle for Venables.

Moreover, the issue lies in Brent Venables’ third season, concluding with a disappointing loss, highlighting Oklahoma’s struggles in their debut season in the SEC. While fellow SEC newbie Texas and Coach Sark took their place in the SEC Championship, even after losing to the Bulldogs, they later found a spot in the Cotton Bowl semis. The Sooners, on the other hand, find themselves in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. No disrespect to the game, as playing against Navy is an honor, but let’s be honest: this doesn’t meet the expectations of Oklahoma fans.

Last year, the departures of Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel led to Seth Littrell and Jackson Arnold taking on bigger roles, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned. Littrell was fired after just seven games, and Arnold is now playing for Auburn. In 2025, Oklahoma is once again shaking things up by bringing in new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle, assistant QB coach John Kuceyeski, and transfer QB John Mateer. It’s a complete rebuild, and fans are eager to see if this new team can finally come together.

Despite the significant $44 million buyout making an immediate firing unlikely, the pressure is mounting. If there isn’t a significant improvement in 2025, Oklahoma may have no choice but to part ways with Venables. The rich history of the Sooners demands results, and patience is wearing thin. Venables is facing a make-or-break season—if he fails to deliver, he may become the latest addition to Oklahoma’s long list of coaching struggles. The clock is ticking.

Brent Venables’ future lies in uncertainty

In his third year as coach, OU finds itself at a crucial junction with a 22-17 record. Despite recruiting top talent and securing five-star recruits, the team has fallen short of expectations. A disappointing 6-7 finish and another playoff miss have only intensified doubts. Oklahoma’s program is a foundation of championship-level performance; anything less is not an option. Coach BV needs to deliver results immediately or risk being replaced. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on. Plus, the only good thing that took place this season for the program was their victory against Bama.

As we enter 2025, ESPN includes Brent Venables in its “hot seat” list alongside Hugh Freeze and Kalen DeBoer, signaling the desire for a successful turnaround. The fans are growing impatient and demanding immediate results. Venables must demonstrate his ability to restore the Sooners’ legacy or face serious consequences.

Every game and decision will shape his future. With expectations reaching new heights, this season is not just about winning but also about survival. Norman expects nothing short of success, leaving Venables with little margin for error.

Even ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg feels the same. “Ideally, OU would maintain its championship trajectory under a coach who wants to end his career in Norman, and make Riley regret his decision. But Venables is off to a shaky start. A Sooners team that never lost more than five games under Stoops and never more than two under Riley has dropped seven twice in three years under Venables,” he said.

The contrast is clear: Oklahoma possesses the talent to compete at the highest level, yet the results have not reflected that. Venables must prove his capability to turn things around and lead the Sooners back to national prominence. The time for talking is over; it’s time to win.