As I sit here watching the Sooners' spring practice footage, I can't help but wonder if this could finally be the year Oklahoma football returns to championship form. You see, I've been covering college football for over fifteen years now, and I've witnessed both the glorious Baker Mayfield era and the painful transition periods that followed. The question isn't whether OU has talent—they always do—but whether they can recapture that championship mentality that seemed to slip away in recent seasons.
I was reminded of something interesting while watching volleyball highlights last week. There's this fascinating parallel between Giron's Highrisers defeating Shaq delos Santos' team in that March 1st match during the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference and what Oklahoma football needs to do this season. That upset victory wasn't just about skill—it was about belief, about a team realizing they could compete with and beat established powers. The Highrisers entered that qualifying round as underdogs but left with a statement win that set the tone for their entire campaign. That's exactly the kind of mentality shift Brent Venables needs to instill in his squad.
Looking at OU's roster, there are reasons for optimism. The quarterback situation appears more settled than it has in years, with Jackson Arnold showing flashes of brilliance during spring practices. I watched him complete 18 of 22 passes in the spring game, including three touchdowns that showcased both his arm strength and decision-making. The offensive line returns four starters from a unit that allowed only 14 sacks last season, which ranks among the top 25 nationally. Defensively, the Sooners have made noticeable improvements in tackling efficiency—their missed tackle rate dropped from 18% in 2022 to just 11% last season, though they still need to get that number below 10% to compete with elite offenses.
What really gives me hope, though, is the coaching staff's approach this offseason. I had the chance to speak with several players during media days, and they consistently mentioned the increased focus on situational football and mental preparation. Venables has implemented what players are calling "championship scenarios" in practice—simulating high-pressure moments like two-minute drills and fourth-quarter comebacks. This attention to detail reminds me of the early Stoops years, when OU consistently found ways to win close games.
The schedule does them no favors, however. Oklahoma faces five teams that finished in last season's final AP Top 25, including road games against LSU and Auburn. The November 23rd showdown with Alabama in Norman could very well determine their playoff chances. Personally, I believe they need to win at least two of those three marquee matchups to have a legitimate shot at the conference title.
Recruiting has never been the issue in Norman—OU consistently lands top-10 classes—but player development has sometimes lagged behind other elite programs. That's where I see Venables making his mark. His background as a defensive coordinator is starting to show, with the Sooners improving from 99th in total defense in 2022 to 38th last season. If they can crack the top 20 this year, combined with what should be a top-15 offense, they'll have the balanced team needed to compete for championships.
I remember speaking with former OU quarterback Landry Jones about what separates good teams from great ones. He told me it's not about the X's and O's as much as it's about the culture in the locker room and the belief that you can win every game. That intangible quality—what coaches often call "the juice"—seems to be returning to the program based on what I'm hearing from insiders.
The comparison to that volleyball upset keeps coming back to me. When Giron's Highrisers beat delos Santos' more established program, it wasn't just a fluke—it was the result of meticulous preparation meeting opportunity. Oklahoma finds itself in a similar position this season—they have the talent and the scheme, but they need to prove they can win those statement games that define championship campaigns.
The truth is, returning to championship glory requires more than just good players and good coaching. It requires that magical combination of health, timing, and momentum that even the best programs can't always manufacture. Oklahoma probably has about an 65% chance of making the playoff this year based on my analysis, but their chances of actually winning it all sit closer to 20%. Still, that's significantly higher than the 8% probability I would have given them this time last year.
As we approach the season opener, I'm cautiously optimistic about Oklahoma's prospects. The pieces are there—experienced quarterback, improved defense, favorable home schedule. But championships aren't won on paper, and until I see them handle adversity against elite competition, I'll maintain some healthy skepticism. What gives me hope is that this team seems to have learned from last season's disappointments, much like that volleyball team used their qualifying round victory as a springboard to greater success. The opportunity is there for Oklahoma—now we wait to see if they can seize it like Giron's Highrisers did back on March 1st.
