In a world where college football rankings can spark heated debates and passionate discussions, one team notably absent from ESPN’s 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25 is the Oklahoma Sooners. The absence of Oklahoma from such a prestigious list is somewhat surprising, given the program’s storied history, recent performances, and the promise shown under head coach Brent Venables. However, this snub serves as an important reminder that college football rankings aren’t solely about historical success; they are also influenced by current rosters, coaching, recruiting classes, and the broader landscape of college football.
The State of the Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to success. The program has won seven national championships, made 54 bowl appearances, and has won 50 conference titles—most recently, a Big 12 championship in 2018. Oklahoma has consistently been a powerhouse in college football, and even when the team has faced adversity, it has remained one of the most prominent names in the sport. The Sooners have also seen their fair share of high-profile coaching changes, and while the transition from Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables was abrupt, it holds potential for a new chapter in Oklahoma football.
Venables, a defensive mastermind who served as Clemson’s defensive coordinator for years, took over a program that had been led by Riley’s offensive-first philosophy. The Sooners had seen high-powered offenses but struggled on the defensive side of the ball during Riley’s tenure. Venables’ appointment was meant to stabilize the defense, making the Sooners more well-rounded and competitive at the national level once again. However, rebuilding a program—especially after the loss of a coach like Riley—is a process that takes time.
The Rise of Brent Venables
Venables inherited a team that was reeling from a lack of defensive consistency and a somewhat porous recruiting pipeline on the defensive side. He immediately worked to bring in top-tier defensive talent and reshape Oklahoma’s defensive identity. While the immediate results of his efforts were mixed, as Oklahoma’s defense showed improvement but was far from elite, there was a sense of optimism surrounding the program.
Venables also had to adjust to a college football landscape that was evolving rapidly, with players transferring more than ever due to the introduction of the NCAA’s transfer portal. The Sooners weren’t immune to these changes. Oklahoma saw a significant number of transfers, both incoming and outgoing, with several key contributors leaving the program in the past few seasons. As a result, Venables has had to manage a program undergoing significant roster turnover, which has affected continuity and overall team chemistry.
Additionally, Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC looms large on the horizon. Moving to one of the toughest conferences in college football presents a huge challenge for any team, and it has created questions about how well the Sooners will fare against some of the nation’s most powerful programs, like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. The transition will likely affect recruiting, matchups, and program expectations.
Recruiting and the 2025 Season
While Oklahoma has been a consistent contender for top-tier recruits, the state of recruiting in the 2025 class has been a key factor in the Sooners’ absence from the rankings. Though the Sooners continue to recruit well, especially on the offensive side of the ball, the competition is stiffer than ever. Programs like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan are elite in terms of both player development and recruiting, and these teams continue to attract the best and brightest talent from across the nation.
In recent seasons, Oklahoma has had a solid presence on the recruiting trail, but they have failed to keep pace with some of the SEC and Big Ten giants, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The 2025 recruiting class will be critical for Venables to establish the necessary depth and talent to compete on a national level. However, recruiting isn’t just about signing top players—it’s about developing them, especially on defense, where the Sooners need to make a significant leap in terms of their overall talent and depth.
What’s Missing from Oklahoma’s 2025 Top 25 Bid?
While the Sooners boast some solid returning talent, such as quarterback Dillon Gabriel, their overall depth in key areas remains a question mark. ESPN’s 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings consider more than just past success; they focus on returning talent, player development, coaching stability, and a team’s potential to make a playoff push.
One major area where Oklahoma falls short in the rankings is in overall depth and consistency on both sides of the ball. While the Sooners possess some talented players on offense, their defense has yet to show the kind of championship-level performance that is expected from a top-tier program. The defense, which has been the weak link for several years, must continue to improve if Oklahoma wants to be considered among the top teams in the nation for the 2025 season.
Additionally, Oklahoma has faced some struggles in big-game situations under Venables, even with some notable victories. The inability to capitalize on certain key moments, especially against the nation’s elite, could leave the Sooners on the outside looking in as far as elite rankings are concerned.
The Road Ahead
Despite the omission from ESPN’s 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25, Oklahoma still has plenty of time to prove itself. Venables’ program is on an upward trajectory, but it’s clear that 2025 will be a pivotal year. The Sooners will need to continue their recruitment efforts, develop key players, and prove that they can compete with the best in college football, especially in the face of the SEC transition.
In the coming months, Oklahoma will need to fine-tune both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s ability to further develop the offense and Venables’ ability to shore up the defense will be crucial. In addition, Oklahoma’s recruiting class will play a significant role in determining how competitive the Sooners are in 2025. The Sooners have the coaching and talent to rise back into the conversation, but a strong 2024 season, with significant improvement across the board, will be necessary to give Oklahoma a legitimate shot at making ESPN’s 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25.
Leave a Reply