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Oklahoma football: Top 5 “What if?” scenarios for the 2023 Sooner football season

By Brandon Self

Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter during the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter during the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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What if the defense isn’t any better?

Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Jaren Kanak (7) chases Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Jaren Kanak (7) chases Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

This one is hard to imagine.

Answer: Venables will clean house.

Suppose the Sooners’ defense remains ranked as the 122nd overall defense in the nation again. In that case, there won’t be a single face in the Switzer Center defensively. If it happens again, maybe there doesn’t need to be any faces left in the Switzer Center that had even the slightest bit of defensive input. I cannot dunk a basketball… therefore I don’t belong in the NBA. Suppose the Sooners’ defense gives up 5.75 yards per play, 49 offensive touchdowns, and 461 yards per game again (122nd ranking). In that case, the guys who dictate the defense’s play calls no longer deserve to coach defense in college football. It’s not for everybody. When I grew up, I wanted to fly the space shuttle. I grew up to have an offensive lineman’s body, therefore rendering me useless as a space shuttle pilot.

I don’t see how this happens. The Sooners’ defensive staff has rebuilt the defensive front, bringing in Da’Jon Terry, Konnor Near, Rondell Bothroyd, Davon Sears, Reggie Pearson, and Trace Ford from the portal. They also signed, and plan to play, PJ Adebawore and Peyton Bowen on the defense, two 5-star high school stars.

The linebacking corps is loaded. Jaren Kanak and Danny Stutsman solidify the middle of the backers. At the same time, the most hyped defensive player in Oklahoma football history, Dasan McCullough, starts at the coveted Cheetah spot.

Defensively the Sooners are loaded up. Healed from the 122 ranking in 2022. I don’t see the defense resembling anything nearly as atrocious as 2022. If it does… bust out the mops and buckets.

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