The Oklahoma Sooners, like many other college football teams across the nation, find themselves navigating a peculiar and challenging period in the current college football calendar. While the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff remain focused on their upcoming games, the rest of the bowl-eligible teams, including Oklahoma, face a vastly different set of circumstances that make preparation and continuity difficult.
The Sooners are gearing up to take on the Navy Midshipmen in the Armed Forces Bowl, set to take place in Fort Worth, Texas. With Fort Worth being relatively close to Norman, Oklahoma, a strong contingent of Sooners fans is expected to attend and show their support. However, the lead-up to this bowl game has been far from routine. A significant factor contributing to the team’s unusual circumstances is the ever-shifting dynamics brought on by the NCAA transfer portal and player turnover.
As of late, the transfer portal has become a central feature of the college football landscape, allowing players to explore opportunities with other programs. The portal opened a little over a week ago, and the Sooners, like many programs nationwide, have experienced a noticeable exodus of players. This player movement has inevitably disrupted team practices, creating a sense of unpredictability in the preparation process.
To make matters even more complicated, Oklahoma’s bowl preparation coincides with the close of the 2025 regular season and the beginning of the offseason. While the Sooners still have one game left to play, their roster has undergone significant changes since their last appearance against LSU. Many players who were part of the squad just a few weeks ago are no longer with the team, either because they entered the transfer portal or exhausted their college eligibility. As a result, the team’s practice sessions have taken on an unusual, almost improvised quality.
One anecdote that captures the chaotic nature of this transition period comes from star wide receiver Deion Burks, who shared his perspective on how the team is coping. Burks highlighted the resilience and determination of freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who has had to step up in an extraordinary way due to the lack of depth at the quarterback position.
“Great character, man,” Burks said about Hawkins. “You just look at him, and he just wants to compete. Today, unfortunately, he was the only quarterback out here, so he was going with the ones and the twos. He scores a touchdown, runs off the field, and back on with the twos. Scores another touchdown. It’s just crazy to see.”
This account not only underscores Hawkins’ competitive spirit but also reflects the unique challenges the Sooners are facing as they adapt to a depleted roster. Hawkins’ situation—being the only quarterback available for practice—illustrates the extent of the upheaval caused by transfer portal exits and graduating players. For Hawkins, the experience is undoubtedly demanding, but it also presents a unique opportunity for growth and leadership development in an accelerated timeframe.
The transfer portal, for better or worse, has fundamentally changed the landscape of college football. While it provides players with greater agency over their careers and the chance to seek better opportunities, it also poses significant challenges for coaching staffs tasked with managing rosters in a highly fluid environment. For teams like Oklahoma, bowl preparation now involves not only focusing on the upcoming game but also addressing gaps in personnel and reconfiguring practice routines on the fly.
Despite these challenges, there are positive takeaways from the current state of affairs. Players like Hawkins, who are thrust into unexpected roles, have the chance to showcase their potential and earn the trust of their teammates and coaches. Additionally, the resilience displayed by the remaining players speaks to the culture of competitiveness and adaptability within the program. While the Sooners may be navigating uncharted waters, their ability to persevere through adversity is a testament to the strength of the team’s foundation.
For fans, the Armed Forces Bowl offers an opportunity to rally behind their team and witness the emergence of new stars. While the roster may look different from the one that took the field earlier in the season, the Sooners remain committed to putting on a strong performance against Navy. The game also serves as a valuable stepping stone for the program as it transitions into the offseason and begins preparations for the 2026 campaign.
As the college football world continues to evolve, moments like these highlight both the challenges and opportunities inherent in the sport. The Sooners’ ability to adapt and compete in the face of roster turnover and uncertainty speaks volumes about the character of the players and coaches who remain committed to the program’s success. While the road to the Armed Forces Bowl has been anything but conventional, it has provided a unique glimpse into the resilience and determination that define Oklahoma football.
Looking ahead, the Sooners’ experience this bowl season may serve as a microcosm of the broader changes taking place across college football. As programs navigate the realities of the transfer portal and the increased mobility of players, the ability to adapt quickly and build a cohesive team will become more important than ever. For now, though, the focus remains on the task at hand: finishing the season on a high note and setting the stage for continued success in the years to come.
In conclusion, the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves in a transitional yet defining moment. The challenges posed by the transfer portal and roster turnover have undoubtedly created obstacles, but they have also revealed the team’s resilience and capacity to adapt. As the Sooners prepare to face Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, fans can take pride in the grit and determination of the players who continue to fight for the program. While the college football landscape may be changing, the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence remain timeless constants for teams like Oklahoma.
