Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables gives an update on a few different odd situations happening injury-wise

Sooners need all hands on deck

Their SEC schedule is pretty much just now starting, as the Sooners are only 1-1 in SEC play, with a win over the Auburn Tigers and, of course, the loss to Texas. They are not out of the fight for a College Football Playoff spot just yet, and need to win most, if not all, of the remaining games on their schedule.

But that's easier said than done. They need all hands on deck, especially when it comes to the offensive line and the running back room — the two things that go hand in hand for what has been the worst part of the offense: the running game. Barnes is a back that most definitely would have played against Texas had he been healthy because he's the most physical of the ones OU has, and he can pass protect the best.

As for Tatum, he had some impressive moments with the Sooners last season and was thought to be one of the biggest names in the room this season, but he hasn't played yet. You want fresh legs and bodies in your running back room as the season goes on, because the wear and tear of an SEC schedule can only make a bad running game like Oklahoma's worse.

South Carolina may not have the best record, but it has some defensive linemen who we may see in the NFL over the next few years. Having Derek Simmons available for that game is crucial, especially when you look at the current depth Oklahoma has all over its offensive line.

Hopefully, the Sooners get healthy very soon. The second half of the 2025 season starts now.

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