Let’s talk about what’s happening in Norman right now - because Brent Venables has his defense humming at a level that should have the rest of the College Football Playoff field on high alert.
After handing over defensive coordinator duties last season, Venables is back calling the shots himself this year. And the results?
Nothing short of dominant. Oklahoma’s defense is allowing just 14 points per game - one of the stingiest marks in the country.
Sure, you can nitpick the schedule - Michigan, Auburn, and South Carolina haven’t exactly been offensive juggernauts - but the Sooners have more than held their own against the teams that can move the ball. They limited Tennessee to 27 points and held Ole Miss to 34 - not perfect, but respectable against high-octane units.
And when you look at the full picture, there’s no question: this defense belongs in the conversation for best in the SEC.
Venables has long been known for his aggressive, shape-shifting defensive schemes, and this year’s group is a textbook example of that philosophy in action. At its core, it’s a 4-3 or 4-2-5 base, but that’s just the starting point.
From there, it’s all about matchup hunting. Some weeks, you’ll see a traditional setup with a true nose tackle and defensive tackle combo flanked by edge rushers.
Other times, he’ll slide bigger defensive ends inside to create chaos in the middle. The one constant?
Pressure. Simulated pressures, exotic blitz looks, stunts - it’s a full buffet of disruption.
The numbers back that up: Oklahoma has racked up an eye-popping 97 tackles for loss this season. That’s not just aggressive - that’s suffocating.
And if you’re wondering how all that translates against top-tier competition, just ask Alabama. The Sooners didn’t just beat the Tide - they broke their rhythm, their protection schemes, and, frankly, their confidence.
Oklahoma forced three turnovers, returned one for a touchdown, sacked Ty Simpson four times, and held Alabama to just 21 points - knocking them out of the top five in the process. That was followed by a defensive clinic: 6 points allowed to Missouri, 13 to LSU.
This isn’t a hot streak. This is a defense that’s peaking at exactly the right time.
Statistically, Oklahoma’s defense is right there with the elite. Only Texas Tech and Ohio State rank higher in overall PPA (Predicted Points Added) per play.
In terms of Havoc rate - a metric that tracks tackles for loss, pass breakups, forced fumbles, and more - they trail only Indiana and Texas Tech. Translation: this defense isn’t just good.
It’s explosive, opportunistic, and built to flip games in a heartbeat.
And the Sooners might be getting even stronger. Defensive end R Mason Thomas - Oklahoma’s top pass rusher - could be back in the lineup after missing the previous Alabama game with a quad injury.
Head coach Brent Venables said Monday that Thomas, along with offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, will practice this week ahead of the CFP rematch. Thomas hasn’t played since Nov. 1, when he injured himself on a 71-yard fumble return touchdown against Tennessee.
If he’s back, that’s a major boost to a front seven that’s already one of the most disruptive in the country.
In the first meeting, Venables dialed up a masterclass in disguise and deception. Oklahoma rotated between two-high and single-high safety looks after the snap, confusing Simpson and forcing him to make quick decisions under duress.
To his credit, Simpson had one of his better passing days in terms of yardage - but that came with a price. The Sooners baited him into mistakes, capitalized with turnovers, and got home with pressure at key moments.
That’s the Venables way - make the quarterback think he knows what he’s seeing, then pull the rug out from under him.
Now, here’s the thing: don’t expect the exact same script in the rematch. That’s not how Venables operates.
He’ll throw a few familiar looks at Simpson to see if the quarterback has grown - but he’ll also mix in new wrinkles. The entire approach is built on adaptability, and that’s what makes this defense so dangerous.
You can’t just study the film and expect to see the same thing twice.
Last time, Alabama managed 21 points - and that was at home in Tuscaloosa. This time, they’ll be in Norman, and they’re coming off a rough offensive outing in Atlanta.
Unless something clicks in a big way, it’s hard to see the Tide putting up more than they did a month ago. In fact, even matching 21 might be a stretch.
Yes, Alabama could get a boost from the potential return of key players like Jam Miller, Parker Brailsford, and Josh Cuevas. And maybe a week of rest helps Ty Simpson and Germie Bernard reset.
But the core challenge remains: can Alabama run the ball against this front? And if not, can Simpson consistently hit intermediate throws with pressure in his face and coverages shifting post-snap?
That’s the question this game comes down to. And based on what we’ve seen from Oklahoma’s defense, it’s a tall order.