Oklahoma’s injury list has been busy all season, and Brent Venables thinks the bigger picture around the SEC might be a factor.
Through eight weeks of the 2026 campaign, the Sooners have been hit hard, with key players such as offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, linebacker Cole Sullivan and wide receiver Trell Harris each missing multiple games because of injuries suffered early in the year.
But this hasn’t been just an Oklahoma problem. Every one of the SEC’s 16 schools has already lost starters to injury, and the Sooners have had the most names on the conference’s weekly injury reports, averaging an SEC-high 10.5 players. Kentucky, Florida and Arkansas have also been dealing with heavy injury loads.
Venables pointed to roster size as one possible reason. The NCAA limited football rosters to 105 players last year, a change that has reduced the kind of deep stash of talent programs used to carry. In his view, that means schools can’t keep as many reserve players developing on the sideline for years at a time.
“The depth of the rosters in the past… we don’t have that same depth,” Venables said on the SEC’s teleconference on Wednesday. “Practicing, training, all of those things.”
There’s also the schedule itself. The SEC moved to a nine-game conference slate in 2026, while still requiring teams to play one other Power Four non-conference opponent. That means league teams are now dealing with 10 Power Four matchups, leaving less room to ease starters down or give backups extended run.
Oklahoma’s schedule has reflected that reality. The Sooners’ only true “gimmie” game came in Week 1 against UTEP.
One week later, they were in the middle of a matchup with Michigan - and came away with a loss. In Week 3, they had to grind through an unexpectedly tough New Mexico team before escaping with a 14-6 win.
Because that game was closer than anticipated, Oklahoma didn’t get many chances to rotate in backups on either side of the ball.
Still, Venables stopped short of claiming he had the answer.
“I think (roster limits) are part of it,” Venables said. “I can’t really theorize, other than that.”
Oklahoma heads into Saturday’s game against South Carolina after last week’s 23-15 win over Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m.
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The most talked-about possibility is a Noah Kahan show next summer, especially with a countdown appearing on his website that has fueled talk of an announcement coming soon. Nothing has been made official yet, but the timing of the post and the pattern behind similar stadium hints have given fans a reason to think one of the biggest summer events in Norman could be on the way. [Read more 🡒]
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Oklahoma Faces A Real Test Up Front In Norman
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For Oklahoma, the immediate concern is up front, where the Sooners are still sorting through an offensive line situation that will be under the microscope against one of the SECs most disruptive young defenders. South Carolina coaches pointed to edge rusher Dylan Stewart as a player who can change the tone of a game, and Oklahomas staff knows that kind of pressure can decide whether a rhythm offense ever gets settled. In a game with momentum on the line for both sides, that front-five battle may end up defining the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]