Sooners aren’t naive to the fact that one critical aspect of their team has to change this offseason
The Sooners cannot have the same issue with the run game next season.
Watching the Oklahoma Sooners go from the top of the world while up 17-0 to beating themselves with self-inflicted wounds was not ideal. Oklahoma looked like it had finally figured out its offense to start the game. And even then, when the Sooners were down and trying to claw their way back, there were moments when the offense looked great.
Overall, not being able to run the ball and throw it deep downfield is what killed Oklahoma, not its opponent. With a motto of “Hard to Kill” all year long, it was self-infliction that would do the job. Offensively, what happened so many times this season can’t happen as often in 2026. This team will not always get as lucky or be bailed out by the defense as often as they were this season.
The Sooners are not naive to any of this. They know what needs to be done this offseason.
“That’s gonna be a focus for us moving forward. We have to get better at running the football,” Venables told reporters immediately following the College Football Playoff loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
OU has to get back to being an elite and lethal offensive team. However, they have to find a way to balance that with their elite defense as well. It can be done, and 2026 could be the year.
Oklahoma’s offseason could dictate the 2026 season and its offense
As Venables said after the loss, this team can only get better. They’re young and have the potential to be one of the teams playing for a National Championship. However, some things have to happen in the offseason to make that possible. First, there may need to be some staff changes on the offensive side of the ball, specifically in tight ends coach Joe John Finley.
I’m not one to call for people’s jobs, and I’m not even saying that Finley needs to be fired. However, something does have to happen. Maybe, just maybe, Venables needs to let him know that 2026 has to be better, or else. You cannot go two years in a row having the tight end room you’ve had, when your best tight end has been a converted linebacker. If they go into 2026 with a similar situation, the offense will continue to be bad in the same areas – run game and pass game.
And then, of course, whatever the Sooners lose in terms of weapons and offensive line has to be replaced well. There is an assumption that quarterback John Mateer will be back. However, if he doesn’t have good weapons around him, the offense will still stink.
A handful of the WRs in the room this last season will be gone, along with tight ends. The transfer portal opening on Jan. 2, closing on Jan. 16, presents an opportunity to strengthen the roster for 2026.
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