Brent Venables’ tenure at Oklahoma got off to a rocky start, as the Sooners finished the 2022 season with their first losing season in the 21st century. The program bounced back in a big way in 2023, though, finishing with a 10-3 record.
This upcoming season will begin a whole new era of Oklahoma football. It’s the Sooners’ first in the SEC. They have a new starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator. They will also field a completely different offensive line. Luckily, they still have a top-10 receiving corps and a loaded defense at the second and third levels to help usher in the new age.
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Biggest Strength: The back seven of the defense
Oklahoma’s defense features a top-10 secondary and a linebacker unit that is headlined by Danny Stutsman, a third-team AP All-American last year.
Biggest Weakness: A brand-new offensive line
The Sooners won’t return any starting offensive linemen from last season. While SMU transfer Branson Hickman is a terrific addition in the middle, there will be uncertainty around the other four spots.
2023 Team Overview
Offense |
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| EPA per play | Yards per play | Successful play rate | Explosive run play rate | Explosive pass play rate |
| 0.184 | 6.7 | 41.5% | 14.8% | 19.7% |
| 6th | 13th | 7th | T-77th | 12th |
Defense |
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| EPA allowed per play | Yards allowed per play | Successful play rate allowed | Explosive run rate allowed | Explosive pass rate allowed |
| -0.092 | 5.5 | 32.6% | 15.6% | 14.6% |
| 31st | T-59th | 36th | 70th | 77th |
Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- C Branson Hickman (SMU): 79.7 PFF grade
- WR Deion Burks (Purdue): 65.7 PFF grade
- TE Jake Roberts (Baylor): 70.6 PFF grade
Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon): 91.9 PFF grade
- OG Cayden Green (Missouri): 53.7 PFF grade
- RB Tawee Walker (Wisconsin): 82.6 PFF grade
Quarterback Spotlight: Jackson Arnold
2023 Grade: 69.1
Key Stat: Five turnover-worthy plays in first career start (Alamo Bowl vs. Arizona)
