NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brent Venables just sent a powerful message to the rest of the SEC that should be putting everyone on notice

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 11:49 PM ET

2024 was an ugly season for the Oklahoma Sooners, with a six-win season being one of the worst they have had in a very long time. Under Brent Venables, the Sooners have had two losing seasons.

Before that, the Sooners hadn't had a losing season since the late 1990s. But, you don't need me to remind you of all of that -- you know how bad it has been the last three years, with one of the only bright spots being the win over Texas a few years ago.

But now, they are prepping for the fourth season under Venables, the first with new general manager Jim Nagy, and the second season in the SEC. Their first season was embarrassing. So, it would be in their best interest not to have a repeat of that, or better yet, not a season similar to that at all, because then it starts to look like they don't belong in the SEC.

And I think we all know that they do, especially when you stack up the history and prestige of the program vs. any other in the conference. The recent success hasn't been there, but that doesn't mean it won't come. In fact, the Sooners think it will come.

They plan to be in the SEC Championship, or at least to compete for it.

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Sooners have plans to compete for SEC Championship

"Our plan is to compete for an SEC Championship. ... We like where we're at right now," Venables said this week at the luncheon.

Venables doesn't usually talk like that, or at least he really hasn't this offseason. After last year, Venables has taken a much more careful approach in terms of what he says in the media and the vibes he gives off. Ask any media member covering this team, and it feels like the approach they have taken is that they are better than last year, and not that they are an elite team by any means.

This comment kind of goes against that, and it's Venables letting everyone know he means business. There are so many people counting out the Sooners and downplaying everything they have done in the offseason. But Venables, man, he is very confident on this team.

And, in a way, he has to be. If he has a repeat of last year, he's gone, and I'm not sure that's news to anyone. Venables is sending a message to the rest of the SEC that they are not a team that is just going to lie down and roll over. This team is going into 2025 with the championship on their mind, just when no one thinks they can get there.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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