Brent Venables identifies glaring weakness for Oklahoma's defense following loss to LSU Tigers
Oklahoma's first season in the SEC comes to an end (perhaps mercifully) with a 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers. The season had some highs, but far too many low points to count that ultimately undid their momentum time and time again. After their loss, Brent Venables went into detail about their biggest issues defensively […]
Oklahoma's first season in the SEC comes to an end (perhaps mercifully) with a 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers. The season had some highs, but far too many low points to count that ultimately undid their momentum time and time again.
After their loss, Brent Venables went into detail about their biggest issues defensively and where they move forward from here. Venables labeled their secondary as the biggest area of improvement heading into next season.
This was a consistent issue for the Sooners all season. They were an elite run defense and their pass rush was among the best in the country, but their corners and the non-Billy Bowman safeties were getting attacked far too often in SEC play.
They are sixth in overall EPA/Play, first in EPA/Rush, second in Yards/Rush, and fourth in Rushing success rate allowed. Yet, their passing numbers fall to 35th in EPA/Pass, 67th in Yards/Pass, and 47th in Passing success rate allowed. They allowed just too many big plays through the air, and that can't happen when Oklahoma's offense is as bad as it is.
Bowman is leaving the team and heading to the draft, but the Sooners do return some capable playmakers for next season (barring a bizarre mass exodus). Both Eli and Payton Bowen are set to return, leaving their CB1 spot and a starting safety spot locked up. I expect Robert Spears-Jennings will return as well, so the Sooners' starting two safeties are seemingly locked up.
It's at cornerback where I expect the most investment to occur. Eli Bowen is an elite freshman, but their depth will take a major hit with Woodi Washington, Kani Walker, and Dez Malone all graduating. The Sooners might have something with Jacobe Johnson, but they don't have any experience in that room. With the long-term status of Gentry Williams up in the air, this is too large of a hole to ignore. I'd expect Oklahoma to bring in multiple players here to fill out their depth.
