**Oklahoma Faces Brutal SEC Schedule in 2025: Can Brent Venables Survive?**
The Oklahoma Sooners are staring down a 2025 schedule so tough it makes a gauntlet look easy. After a rough 6-7 season in 2024, their transition into the SEC isn’t getting any easier. The conference has not offered any warm welcomes, and Oklahoma is now facing one of the most challenging slates in the nation. Head coach Brent Venables, who signed a $44.8 million contract, is under immense pressure. With expectations sky-high in Norman, another disappointing season could lead to serious discussions about his future.
2024: A Season to Forget
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The Sooners’ 2024 season was nothing short of disastrous. Their offense was among the worst in college football, ranking **126th in total yards per game** and **110th in scoring offense**. The defense, however, was a rare bright spot, finishing **19th in total yards allowed**. But when an offense struggles to move the ball, even a strong defense can’t save a team from consistent losses. The result? A season so painful that many fans were turning off their TVs by halftime.
A Nightmare 2025 Schedule
Oklahoma’s 2025 schedule might be one of the toughest in all of college football. The season kicks off with **Michigan in Week 2**, followed by a brutal stretch against **Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU**. The road games, in particular, are daunting: the Sooners must travel to **South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama**, some of the most difficult places to win in the SEC.
The annual rivalry game against **Texas in Dallas** only adds to the challenge. And after that? A second half of the season that looks like pure punishment. There’s a real chance Oklahoma could lose six games in a row if they aren’t prepared.
No More Excuses for Venables
Oklahoma’s struggles have placed **Brent Venables on the hot seat**. After three seasons, there are no more excuses. The **offensive line has been rebuilt**, a **new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, has taken over play-calling**, and the team has **a fresh face at quarterback in John Mateer**. If the Sooners still can’t compete, the pressure for change will intensify.
One major concern is that Venables will now be taking over **defensive play-calling duties**, following the departure of **Zac Alley to West Virginia**. While his defensive expertise is well-known, it won’t matter if Oklahoma can’t score points. The SEC is an unforgiving league, and a struggling offense will be exposed week after week.
Will an 8-4 Record Be Enough?
Some analysts believe that if Oklahoma finishes **8-4 in 2025, it should be considered a success**. However, this is a program built on **championship expectations**, and a mediocre season might not satisfy the fanbase, boosters, or administration. Venables’ massive contract means firing him won’t come cheap, but if the team struggles again, pressure will mount for the Sooners to make a change.
The Harsh Reality
Oklahoma is in a tough spot. The SEC doesn’t hand out easy wins, and the Sooners are facing a brutal initiation. Venables is coaching for his job, and with a grueling schedule ahead, the margin for error is razor-thin. If Oklahoma starts slow, the calls for a new head coach could grow louder before the season even reaches its conclusion.
The question remains: **Can Brent Venables lead Oklahoma through this SEC gauntlet, or is the program headed for another disappointing year?** The answer could determine the future of Sooners football.