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Texas' Rival is One of the Programs Under Most Pressure in 2025
Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Texas and Oklahoma participated in their first year of SEC play last season.

The two programs appear to be trending in opposite directions. The Longhorns hired Steve Sarkisian in 2021 and the football program has skyrocketed in a positive direction ever since, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinal each of the last two seasons.

The Sooners hired head coach Brent Venables at the end of 2021 after a messy departure by Lincoln Riley. Oklahoma has struggled to find consistency ever since. Venables' squad finished the 2024 season with one of the words records in the SEC, going 2-6 in conference play and ended with a 6-7 overall record.

According to PFF's Max Chadwick, Oklahoma is one of the programs under the most pressure ahead of the 2025 season.

"Oklahoma took a major step forward in Year 2 under Brent Venables, finishing with a 10-3 record in 2023, but came crashing back down to earth this past season," Chadwick began. "The Sooners went 6-7 overall, their second time doing so in three years with Venables leading the program. They hadn’t endured a losing campaign in the entire 21st century before he took over."

Chadwick didn't stop there and continued to stress that Oklahoma has serious concerns on offense.

"A very lackluster offense that was hampered by injuries was the biggest culprit, as Oklahoma had the lowest PFF offensive grade in the Power Four last season (60.2). The Sooners’ defense is what ultimately got the program bowl-eligible, placing 12th in college football with a 91.4 PFF grade as a unit. Oklahoma’s defense remains strong entering 2025, and the team will look for transfers, such as quarterback John Mateer and running back Jaydn Ott, to jump-start the offense, though there are still serious concerns on that side of the ball."

Venables is certainly on the hot seat this season and will need significant improvement to keep his position moving forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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