Oklahoma’s first season in the SEC didn’t exactly go according to plan. With a rather disappointing season now in the books, David Pollack is expecting a major turnaround, especially on the offensive side of the ball, for the Sooners come 2025.
David Pollack Predicts Significant Offensive Improvement for Oklahoma in 2025
Brent Venables and company made a slew of changes to try and make their team more competitive heading into an all-important campaign. He’ll be in control of the defensive side of the ball, while freshly minted offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is leading the charge on offense, bringing along transfer quarterback John Mateer, as well.
That’s leading to Pollack believing Oklahoma can compete in the SEC, and put 2024 in their rearview. He’s not expecting double-digit wins, but the Sooners will certainly have a shot to make some noise.
“I think Oklahoma is going to be so improved,” Pollack stated, via “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack.” “I mean, across the board. Bringing in the right guys, I think, with where they needed it the most. The system changed. Obviously, the offensive coordinator changed. The defense is still being controlled by Venables.
“I think they’re lightyears better. They’re going to be way more competitive. They’re not going to be a cakewalk, and it’s still going to be so difficult, because of their schedule. So, Oklahoma is going to be great. They’re not going to win 10 games, but they’re going to have a team that’s good enough to be in that conversation to win 10 games.”
It’ll all start for Oklahoma on Aug. 30, when the Sooners open the seasons against Illinois State in Norman, followed by Michigan coming to town the following week. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier with their SEC slate, but it’s not hard to see why Pollack thinks the team will be better than last season.
Moreover, a ton of eyes will be on Norman’s team in 2025. Pollack’s former colleague in Rece Davis is going to be focused on Oklahoma, as well. He believes Venables’ job security could be in danger this season, and if the Sooners don’t do some winning, the door could be shown to the veteran coach.
“It’s highly likely that Brent Venables’ job security depends on it,” Davis stated, via the “College GameDay Podcast.” “You know, they need to be better. I’m not saying they have to win the SEC or have to go to the Playoff.
“The Alabama win, late for them, sort of salvaged a bit of the narrative around them, that maybe there’s some capabilities here, because they were really good on defense, they were just abysmal on offense. So, I’m pretty fascinated by Oklahoma.
“Are they going to be able to take a jump, and at least solidify things? Because I think another finish at the bottom of the SEC standings — I would hate to see that, because I’ve wanted Venables to get a head coaching shot for so long, if he wanted it. I was starting to wonder if he wanted it.”
KEEP READING: CFB Insider Explains Why Oklahoma’s New QB John Mateer Could Be the Breakout Star in 2025
We’ll see if Pollack and Davis watch Oklahoma rejuvenate their program in 2025, or if it’s more of the same from 2024. For Venables’s sake, the changes he made need to work out.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
