Oklahoma’s Back in the CFP - and Brent Venables Might Have Just Turned a Corner
Saturday night brought a deep sigh of relief - and a surge of optimism - for Oklahoma fans. The Sooners edged out LSU in a gritty 17-13 win that didn’t just cap off the night, it potentially redefined the direction of the program.
With the College Football Playoff field set to be unveiled this Sunday, Oklahoma knows it’s in. The only questions now are who they'll face and where they'll play.
And for a fanbase that’s endured a rollercoaster few seasons, that’s a welcome change of pace.
Meanwhile, across the SEC, calm is in short supply. Lane Kiffin’s latest departure has Ole Miss fans reeling after one of the most successful regular seasons in program history. The Rebels are still playoff-bound, but the emotional fallout is real - and now it’s up to the remaining staff to steady the ship before the postseason begins.
Elsewhere in the conference, Georgia and Alabama are gearing up for another SEC title clash, while Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas are all breaking in new head coaches. Kentucky, too, enters the coaching carousel after parting ways with Mark Stoops - a move that many fans saw coming, but one that still leaves the Wildcats playing catch-up in a frenzied market.
And outside the SEC? Things aren’t much clearer.
Penn State’s coaching situation remains murky after a failed attempt to lure Kurt Cignetti from Indiana. With James Franklin now out, the Nittany Lions are still searching for a Plan B.
But back in Norman, things are finally starting to settle - and not a moment too soon.
Brent Venables came into this season under pressure. Two 6-7 campaigns in three years had folks wondering if the Sooners had lost their footing. But now, with a playoff berth in hand and a defense that looks like it’s built to last, Venables has not only stabilized the program - he’s potentially set it up for a major leap forward.
The Sooners’ defense has been the backbone of this resurgence. It’s not just playing well - it’s playing with confidence, depth, and a clear identity.
And it’s not going anywhere. David Stone and Jayden Jackson are expected back in 2026 to anchor the defensive front, with Taylor Wein, Adepoju Adebawore, and Danny Okoye ready to make their mark.
Linebackers Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis, along with safety Peyton Bowen, form a core that could become one of the most feared units in the country. Add in promising underclassmen like Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory, and the foundation is set.
The offensive side? That’s the next challenge.
The Sooners still need to find another gear if they want to match the defense’s level. But here’s the good news: it’s a lot easier to add skill-position firepower than it is to rebuild an entire roster or coaching staff.
With National Signing Day just days away, Venables and general manager Jim Nagy are focused on locking in the 2026 recruiting class while continuing to build what’s shaping up to be one of the top 2027 classes in the nation.
Of course, nothing’s guaranteed. Just ask South Carolina.
After coming up just short of the playoff in 2024, the Gamecocks looked like a program on the rise under Shane Beamer - only to stumble through a frustrating 2025. So yes, Oklahoma has momentum, but sustaining it will take more than just a strong December.
That said, Venables now has a clear blueprint. He’s got a defense that can win games in the trenches.
He’s got returning talent with experience and upside. And if the offense can grow - especially at quarterback and along the offensive line - the 2026 Sooners could be in for something special.
That’s a far cry from where things stood after a 6-7 finish in 2024.
At Oklahoma, the standard is clear: national championships. Anything less is just noise. But in a year where chaos reigns across the coaching landscape, Venables looks like a coach who’s finally found his footing - and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.