Welcome to the SEC Oklahoma.... Time to Learn Some Tough Lessons

Brian Bahr. Getty Images.

The Oklahoma Sooners are finally making the jump from the Big 12 to the SEC this fall. And it is going to be a rough one. Coach Brent Venables signed a 6 year extension through 2029 after going 9-3 last season. There is optimism in the form of highly touted QB Jackson Arnold who will be taking over for Dillon Gabriel who transferred to Oregon.

The Sooners also lost OC Jeff Lebby to Mississippi State and Seth Littrell has replaced Lebby. How will Oklahoma fare in 2024? Let's break down the key questions facing the Sooners…..

1) Can a young & rebuilt offensive line hold up in the SEC?

I believe Arnold has potential to eventually be great, but he's in trouble if this offensive line struggles against the stout SEC defensive fronts. Oklahoma has ZERO returning starters and went to the transfer portal to try to rebuild this unit. The biggest difference in playing against the SEC is the ferocious defensive lines. Call me greatly concerned about this.

Arnold does have a deep WR corps if he has time to throw. Three of their top returning WRs are back and there's a lot of hype around Purdue transfer Deion Burks. Arnold had 4 turnovers in the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona and could have significant growing pains in year 1 as the starter. And losing Jeff Lebby cannot be a positive. He was a damn fine OC.

2) Will an improved Oklahoma defense be good enough to hang in the SEC?

Six starters return including All Big 12 LB Danny Stutsman and All Big 12 Safety Billy Bowman Jr to anchor the defense. Venables is a renowned defensive mind but I am concerned about their propensity to give up the big play. This unit was ranked in the 50s last fall and must improve a good bit to give the Sooners a shot at a successful SEC debut. OU did add a stud in DL Damonic Williams but the secondary needs to improve a good bit.

3) How can Oklahoma survive a BRUTAL schedule?

The schedule makers did OU no favors in 2024. The Sooners will roll to a 2-0 start against Temple and rebuilding Houston before Tulane comes to Norman Week 3. OU should also win that game but Tulane is not afraid to fight and it could be a little sticky.

The Sooners open SEC play with Tennessee & Sooner National Championship QB Josh Heupel. This game could be the key to the season. The Vols are strong up front on defense led by All American James Pearce. Can the Sooners block him? I have Oklahoma gutting this out before Oklahama heads to Auburn.

Whie Hugh Freeze's squad may not be ready to be at the top of the SEC, Auburn is still a hard place to win. Oklahoma heads to the bye at 4-1.

OU has the neutral site game in Dallas vs. Texas designated as a home game this year which is a tough break. Who the hell knows what will happen as these games are always coin flips down to the final possession? Texas pulls this one out late then Oklahoma bounces back with a W against South Carolina.

The Sooners fall in Oxford to Ole Miss on October 26th for their 3rd loss of the season. Luckily they play Maine the following week before a murderer's row of at Mizzou, Alabama & at LSU to end this thing. I believe they drop all 3 games to finish 6-6 in their 1st year in the SEC.

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There are brighter days ahead for the Sooners especially once Arnold gets some experience but this year is gonna be ROUGH!