SEC coaches have mixed feelings about the Oklahoma Sooners in 2025

After a 6-7 season in 2024, the Oklahoma Sooners need to make a better second impression in the SEC than their first impression. OU and head coach Brent Venables don’t have the highest of expectations going into the 2025 season, but they’re hoping to prove everyone wrong this year.

That apparently includes other coaches in the SEC. Athlon Sports revealed that they asked SEC coaches about other programs in the conference. Those opinions were kept anonymous and shared with the public in Athlons’s college football preview magazine.

The Sooners didn’t get much respect from those anonymous coaches in the league who think Venables is on the hot seat heading into 2025. However, there is also some optimism that OU will be better than last year.

It’s a hot-seat situation for sure. They’re banking on an instant impact from Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer the way Vanderbilt brought in the New Mexico State coach/QB combo (OC Tim Beck and QB Diego Pavia). That could happen. Their receivers were nonexistent last year, but a lot of that was injury. They should bounce back and give Mateer some options. – SEC Coach to Athlon Sports

Arbuckle and Mateer’s familiarity with each other is a big reason why the Sooners have a chance to be way better on offense this season. The Vanderbilt duo was excellent last year, but the former Washington State Cougars tandem could be even better in Norman.

Concerns about Mateer’s ability to adjust from tearing up a Mountain West schedule to the grueling SEC were brought up, as he’ll see a big jump in competition in his second collegiate season as a starter.

Normally, it’s not a great idea when a head coach goes back to play-calling, but hey, Brent Venables was one of the best in the nation at it when he was at Clemson. He wants to have more control over what he knows. – SEC Coach to Athlon Sports

Another…

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Publish date : 2025-05-28 16:00:00

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