Stormin in Norman
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A win over Alabama could unfortunately save Brent Venables' job at Oklahoma

Brent Venables has been with the Oklahoma Sooners for almost three seasons and, other than 2023, has underperformed. However, a win over the Tide may save his seat.

By Sam Fariss

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables locks arms with players before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Maine Black Bears at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables locks arms with players before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Maine Black Bears at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Oklahoma Sooners have fallen apart once again, it's just that simple. Head coach Brent Venables has let a team that went 10-3 last season fall to an abysmal 5-5 in its first SEC season. However, while Venables may be sitting on one of the hottest seats in college football, he has a chance to save his job in Week 13.

The Sooners are set to host the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday and a win over one of the strongest football programs in history could keep Venables in Norman for a bit longer.

No, Alabama isn't quite the same as it was every year under Nick Saban but new head coach Kalen DeBoer has led the Tide to a respectable 8-2 start that included wins over Georgia, Missouri, and LSU. So, if Venables can find a way to knock down the Tide, his job might just be safe.

While Venables has a winning record since taking over the Sooners football program in 2022, going 21-15 overall isn't good enough for the University of Oklahoma. The Sooners are one of the winningest teams in college football history and will accept nothing but the best.

That's why Venables' job has become so uncertain this season. This year, the Sooners have already lost to Tennessee, Texas, an unranked South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Missouri.

Oklahoma fans have been in uproar as the defensive specialist that they have as a head coach has failed to slow down teams that the Sooners should have defeated. Not to mention, Oklahoma failed to score a single touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry.

Chaos at the quarterback position, a lack of consistency on the record books, and a failure to consistently take down the Horns put Venables on the hot seat. Unfortunately, OU fans may have to let some of that anger go if he can take down the Tide.

While a win over Alabama wouldn't put Oklahoma in a position to play in the SEC Championship game, it would make the Sooners bowl-eligible. The next week, Venables could cement his job in Norman with another win, pushing the Sooners to 7-5 overall, when Oklahoma plays the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.

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