Imagine a team composed of a Lincoln Riley-type explosive offense in combination with a Brent Venable in-your-face defense. Well, you don't have to close your eyes and imagine the possibility for long because that is what the Oklahoma football Team 131 appears to be capable of this season.
This could be the first season in more than a decade that Oklahoma features a team with a balanced, high-powered offense to go along with a physical, relentless defense that is deep, talented and punishing at all three levels. During Lincoln Riley's time at Oklahoma, the Sooners regularly fielded the former of the two -- one of the country's highest-scoring, most productive offensive machines in the country -- but hardly the latter.
Sooners offense and defense finally aligned for complete 2025 season
Oklahoma has long been know for prolific offenses with plenty of firepower both on the ground and, in recent times, through the air. Last season, however, a calamity of unforeseen circumstances completely throttled the Sooners' offensive performance. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, OU's offensive/defensive balance totally reversed itself. What once was a team that was all offense and no defense, was now all defense but strapped with an offense that was heavily depleted and seriously challenged.
A series of major offseason moves has resulted in serious upgrades to every Sooner offensive position group, including the two most critical spots with new starting quarterback John Mateer and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, both coming from Washington State this offseason.
Mateer told reporters recently after practice that he likes where the offense is at in preparations for the start of the new season.
"We're in a really good spot," Mateer said about the learning process and progress that is being made.
"I'm very pleased with how everyone is doing. A lot of installing and a lot of walkthroughs in the summer, and even now, guys are staying after with me and we're walking through a lot of stuff."
A big issue with the Oklahoma offense last season was the high inconsistency of a young and inexperienced wide-receiver group forced into action by a crippling number of injuries to key personnel. Mateer is keenly aware of that situation and said he is impressed with the receiving weapons the Sooners brought in.
The offensive line is expected to be noticeably better and much deeper with the addition of two elite freshmen in Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodge, and transfer tackle Derek Simmons. And running back could be the deepest position group on the entire team with Cal transfer Jaydn Ott and Sooner four-year veteran Jovantae Barnes expected to spell one and two on the depth chart, but also with a bevy of young talent ready and able to fill in as needed.
During the time Riley was in Norman, first as offensive coordinator and later elevated to head coach, Oklahoma had to put up plenty of points and outscore everybody to ensure wins. The Sooner defenses during that time were incapable of stopping or slowing down anybody.
Two seasons before Venables took over head coach duties, the Oklahoma defense ranked 122nd out of 134 FBS teams in total defense, giving up 460 yards per game. Last season, in Venables' third season at the helm, the Sooner defense finished 17th in the nation overall.
Here's the bitter news if you're an OU opponent this season. As good as the Sooners' defense was last fall, it is expected to be even better in 2025. The OU front seven is one of the best in the country, the hallmark of a Venables defense, and he has had a number of great ones both at Clemson and earlier in his career at OU.
Of the 21 newcomers to the 2025 Oklahoma roster from the transfer portal, only three were defensive players, which underscores the fact that the bulk of the defensive players on the roster this season are homegrown. Venables and his defensive assistants have spent the last three years bulking up and developing the talent on defense.
This is the best defensive team in Venables' four seasons as the OU head coach. With all the upgrades on offense and if a rebuilt special teams unit is able to come through, this should be the first season the Sooners have been able to feature true complementary football in at least a decade.
The Sooners and their fans are banking that will be the difference in two or three more wins in 2025 and a return to Oklahoma football relevance.
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