Hmm…What made the Sooners relevant this season? Taking 3 interceptions and stopping the raging Tide to just 70 yards on rushing. That is pretty much the season highlight for OU and Brent Venables. After that, the Sooners went on to get walked on by LSU and finally a 1-point loss to Navy. Still, for fans, there is hope that this program could turn things around. A “Home run” hire. That is pretty much the key for OU’s comeback in 2025 and maybe Venables’ natty run season? But what even is this? How can a single coaching staff change result in flipping the program 180 and giving them the biggest comeback next season? The biggest issue for the Sooners is rooted deeply in their defensive performance. Every game you check on the schedule, OU has given out at least 20+ points…

“But the number one thing that comes to mind first is, you know, why would you take that job?” Ty Lee pointed out The Schooner Pod. Let’s talk about Ohio State. The Bucks are on the high and Ryan Day has pretty much redeemed himself. And as good as the offense has been, pulling 40-pointer games against top dogs, there is one thing about this team that continues to blow our minds: The defense. Jim Knowles definitely knows a lot. In the last 4 games combined, the Buckeyes defense has barely allowed ANYONE to touch the football. Vols managed just 152 yards on rushing, Ducks got roasted at Pasadena with -23 yards on coverage, and Texas? Yeah, Steve Sarkisian’s golden goose wasn’t laying any gold eggs with those 58-yard rushing numbers…

And even if we look past that, barely any team was allowed to go past the 20-point mark while the Reds were running up and down the gridiron, scoring 40-pointer games in the semi and quarterfinals. This has to be some type of magic. See, we get it. Day and OSU have got the money to get the best on the team.

$21 million ain’t no joke, but Jim getting those boys ready to face top SEC talents and coming out unscathed? Now that is god’s work. And former OU HC Bob Stoops calls Jim’s hiring the golden hour for Sooners football. If, by hook or by crook, Venables pulls this off?

Then we might see the Sooners pull the same Alabama trick with every single team on their schedule. But then again, Lee’s point remains: “You’re kind of at the peak right now at Ohio State.” Why even sacrifice it all and go to OU?

Jim Knowles’ vision

“Beat Notre Dame; that’s all I’m focused on,” was all Jim had to say while talking about the OU rumors. When you are doing that great of a job, it ain’t no wonder everyone wants you on their squad, but shifting at this time makes very little sense…

See, OSU is in the top spot right now, and next season, they will remain the same. Yes, they will lose multiple players to the draft, but with the eye for talent Ryan Day has? They are gonna recover that talent just as fast. And realistically speaking, there is no way Day is going to let Jim go.

As good as Oklahoma is at poaching, “He’s (Jim) already making a ton of money at Ohio State,” Lee adds. And with the natty win? Jim is going to get handed everything on the silver platter. Sticking with the Bucks and focusing on building the 2025 roster is pretty much Jim’s vision.

Yeah, maybe OU throws in a bit more money on the table, but OSU ain’t gonna back down.