Sure, Oklahoma football is currently having issues with winning games, confidence in their head coach Brent Venables, and a general overall take that the program is not meeting expectations that the Sooner Nation expects.
With that, the Sooners could be ready for a much better future than what has happened the past three years. And the fact that OU’s bowl loss yesterday against a better than average NAVY team showed the Sooner fight is still embedded in this program, which will be the foundation to turn a 6-7 record in 2024 into a much better final look in 2025.
New offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and his quarterback, portal transfer, John Mateer, both from Washington State, should give the OU offensive a boost to win big in 2025. Mateer is the highest rated quarterback in the portal, and will upgrade from Jackson Arnold, the new qb at Auburn.
Consider the play of Michael Hawkins Jr., the starting quarterback for OU in the Arm Forces Bowl, which was positive. His stat line of 28-43, 247 and 2 scores and 17 rushes for 61 yards was acceptable, especially for a true freshman. Do not underestimate his performance. With some added guidance from the new coaches, expect Hawkins to improve his touch on his passes as his progressions on passing plays and his decision making were very good against the Middies. He had to suffer seven drops by his pass catchers which hurt him and the offense all day long, as NAVY was beatable yesterday.
Hawkins might redshirt in 2025, giving him three years after Mateer moves on to the NFL. The future for OU at quarterback in shinning.
Oklahoma has to upgrade it’s play on the offensive line, settle on a feature back and not a rotation of various runners, get some receivers that can avoid injuries, and make an effort to get their training and medical staff to do a much better job in taking care of the injured. OU can do that and if they do, Brent Venables might be around in 2026. If the same things repeat next year as of 2025. Venables is toast in Norman.
Feature Photo: Derrick James, McAlester-News Capital
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