The Oklahoma Sooners won't be around SEC Media Days until Day 3 on Wednesday, but there's already been plenty of attention focused on them during the first two days of the event.
On Tuesday, ESPN's SEC analysts Peter Burns and Chris Doering made some season predictions on SEC Network, and Doering was all in on OU's turnaround after a 6-7 season in 2024. Although Brent Venables is on the hot seat, Doering predicted Venables to win SEC Coach of the Year, while he also had new quarterback John Mateer earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year and winning the Heisman Trophy.
However, Doering did still predict LSU to win the SEC and national title despite also having the Sooners with so much success. OU and LSU will meet in the last game of the regular season.
Preseason predictions from @PeterBurnsESPN & @ChrisDoering 👀 pic.twitter.com/qinou4N5OS
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 15, 2025
SEC analyst predicts OU turnaround in 2025
The Sooners drawing Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State to Norman has been the biggest reason why experts believe OU could turn things around this season in Year 2 of the SEC.
OU was historically bad on offense in 2024, but that unit will look completely different in 2025. Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell was fired midway through the season and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley took over play-calling duties. Finley will still serve as tight ends coach, but Arbuckle is now in control of the offense.
Mateer will also replace Jackson Arnold, who started nine games last season for the Sooners before transferring to the Auburn Tigers. As Arnold struggled last season as a sophomore, Mateer, also a sophomore, thrived while leading the FBS with 44 total touchdowns. The Sooners now hope to mirror that success with Arbuckle and Mateer in Norman.
If Arbuckle and Mateer do continue their success together in the SEC, then the Sooners certainly should experience a massive turnaround and save Venables' job. However, the closer we get to the season actually kicking off, the higher the bar continues to get.
Venables and Mateer will both speak at SEC Media Days on Thursday.
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