Brent Venables vs. Big 12
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables made a viral comment during Tuesday's weekly press conference that got even more attention after the Sooners' old conference clapped back at the quote.
Venables was asked about the difficulty of the SEC being a "one-possession league" and tried to make a point that wins won't come as easy as OU fans got used to while in the Big 12, but the point backfired.
“This isn't the old Big 12 days where Oklahoma destroys everybody every single week except for one game a year,” Venables said.
Here is a good part of the quote from Venables talking about how difficult it is to play in the SEC. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/5DsHNVGZ73
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) October 14, 2025
Shortly after the comment made its rounds on social media, the Big 12 responded on its official account on X.
“Coach Venables lost eight Conference games in his two seasons in the Big 12,” the Big 12 wrote.
Coach Venables lost eight Conference games in his two seasons in the Big 12 https://t.co/O4eLzaJ3lo
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 14, 2025
That post also went viral as Venables' 10-8 conference record in two seasons in the Big 12 was highlighted. He also went 2-6 in SEC play last season in OU's first year in the conference after leaving the Big 12. However, at least before Venables was in charge, the Sooners did dominate the Big 12 with 14 conference titles in 28 seasons.
OU women in preseason top 10
OU women's basketball will tip off the upcoming season just outside the top 5 after coming in at No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 that was released on Tuesday. However, while returning all but one contributor from last season and adding No. 1 overall 2025 recruit Aaliyah Chavez, the Sooners could continue to rise even beyond a preseason top-10 ranking.
NEW: Preseason Women's College Basketball AP Poll🏀https://t.co/83BK4PnU98 pic.twitter.com/V5RKRvr4UB
— On3 (@On3sports) October 14, 2025
Derek Simmons injury update
Venables said Tuesday that starting right tackle Derek Simmons is considered "day-to-day" after injuring his ankle against Texas last week.
Injuries are always bad news, but especially along the offensive line for the Sooners. There are three right tackles included on OU's Week 8 depth chart -- Simmons, Logan Howland and Jake Taylor. Howland and Taylor have already been hurt, so with Simmons' status, none could be available against South Carolina on Saturday. If Simmons can't go, Luke Baklenko, listed as the backup left tackle, will likely fill in.
More about Simmons' status will be known after Wednesday, when the first SEC Availability Report of the week is released.