We're previewing the SEC as we inch closer to the start of the 2024 college football season. Our last preview was of the Missouri Tigers, and now we take a look at their old Big 12 rivals and SEC-newcomer, the Oklahoma Sooners.
OU made big improvements under HC Brent Venables last season, but they now face new challenges joining the SEC. This team isn't getting much love in the preseason, but might they be unfairly overlooked?
Examining the Oklahoma Sooners' offense
The Sooners fielded one of the nation's best offenses last season behind QB Dillon Gabriel and OC Jeff Lebby. Well Gabriel transferred to Oregon, and Lebby is now leading Mississippi State. But there's confidence in their replacements.
Former North Texas HC Seth Littrell becomes OU's play-caller after serving as an analyst in Norman last season, and he'll keep largely the same offense in place. Fans and coaches have raved about former 5-star Jackson Arnold, and after getting lots of experience behind Gabriel in '23, it's now his show to run.
He'll have plenty of weapons around him. Gavin Sawchuk is a great young RB, and the WR corps, featuring Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, and Purdue-transfer Deion Burks, is loaded. The concern, however, is who'll protect Arnold. All five starting OL must be replaced. Transfers Branson Hickman and Michael Tarquin should ease the transition, but OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh will need to live up to his strong reputation to get his group up to speed.
Examining the Oklahoma Sooners' defense
For the first time in what felt like a long time, Oklahoma was actually solid defensively. Brent Venables' impact on the program was clear in his second season with the Sooners allowing just 23.5 PPG. That was good enough considering their prolific offense, but entering Venables' third year, improving to full-on good is expected.
And the pieces are there to do so. OU's top six tacklers and nine of their top 10 return. Some starters must be replaced along the DL, but top pass-rusher Ethan Downs is back, and high-profile transfers Caiden Woullard and Damonic Williams join. There's a chance they get more production from the front four in '24.
Superstar LB Danny Stutsman once again leads the defense. The secondary could be a real strength with four starters returning, including SS Billy Bowman who had six picks last season. Even considering a SEC schedule, this should be the best OU defense in years.
Thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners entering 2024
The national perception of Oklahoma entering the SEC hasn't been particularly high. Many haven't yet bought-in on Venables as HC, the losses of Dillon Gabriel and the OL are significant, and their schedule is incredibly difficult.
But I think this team is being undervalued some. Those close to the program will tell you OU was ready for Jackson Arnold to takeover at QB. They believe he's truly special. The surrounding skill talent is incredible, and while the OL is a valid concern, especially with a young QB, Bill Bedenbaugh is one of the nation's best. I give him some benefit of the doubt. And I don't think many realize how good their defense could be.
The schedule is unquestionably difficult with trips to Auburn, Ole Miss, Mizzou, and LSU, home tilts with Tennessee and Bama, and of course Texas at the Cotton Bowl. That's tough to navigate. But there's a lot of assumptions that those teams are clearly ahead of the Sooners, and I'm not sure that's the case.
They can play with everyone on their schedule, and I think they'll remind people of what this program has been for its entire history.