Brent Venables looking to lead Sooners back atop Big 12 hierarchy
Oklahoma Coach Brent Venables orchestrates his defense before a play during the third quarter against Iowa State Saturday October 29, 2022 at Jack Trice Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
Although Brent Venables led Oklahoma to its’ first losing season since 1998 during his first year on the job, he clearly has the program on the rise this fall.
After all, Venables has the Sooners 5-0, as they approach their biggest game of the season. The Red River Rivalry is set to kickoff this Saturday, and it appears the road to the Big 12 Title runs through Texas. Coach Steve Sarkisian has the Longhorns playing at a high level right now. So much so, that everyone is jumping on his bandwagon and feeling Texas is officially back.
The Longhorns are also undefeated and ranked third in this week’s AP Poll. So there’s no denying the stakes are high this time around. Sarkisian matched wits with Venables last year, and it ended in an embarrassing 49-0 loss.
Which is why Venables is determined to field a motivated team in Dallas. The Sooners currently lead the Big 12, and ranks third nationally in points per game. Oklahoma is also first in the league in total offense, averaging 510 yards per game.
Not to mention quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been performing like an All-American. Last year’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Year continues to make others around him better, and the rest of the offense feeds off his energy. He leads the Big 12, and ranks sixth in the FBS in passing efficiency.
Oklahoma put 50 points on the scoreboard against Iowa State last week, which was the second-most in Big 12 play under Venables. The No. 12 Sooners have won every game this year by at least 14 points.
Venables has one of the best defensive minds in today’s game. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise as to why Oklahoma ranks second in the conference in total defense. However, the Longhorns will have by far the best offense the Sooners will face this season.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers is playing like a Heisman contender. Wideout Xavier Worthy can take the top off defenses. Texas’ offensive line is arguably one of the nation’s best, and the big boys up front know how to maul defenders.
This game could easily turn into an offensive shootout like it did in 2021. That’s easier said than done, considering how stout the Longhorns are on defense. Texas ranks first in the Big 12, and third nationally in yards allowed. The linebackers know how to get to the quarterback, so Gabriel won’t have much time in the pocket.
Regardless, if Venables can pull off the upset, Oklahoma will catapult into the top-five. The Sooners will also be in the driver’s seat in the Big 12 race, and control their own destiny the rest of the way.
Which makes this year’s Red River Rivalry one of the most anticipated matchups of this season. Venables just wants his team to take advantage of the spotlight, and embrace one of the most storied rivalries in the sport.
