Football team from Oklahoma set to underperform, surpassing initial AP Top 25 Poll ranking placement
Brent Venables, the head coach of Oklahoma football, is set to begin his fourth season at the helm. Despite the promise of a new season, the Sooners are facing a challenging 2025 campaign in the SEC, marked by a tough schedule and ongoing quarterback uncertainty surrounding John Mateer.
A Grueling Schedule Awaits
The schedule for Oklahoma football in 2025 is one of the toughest in the SEC, according to analysts. The Sooners will face marquee matchups early, including a home game against Michigan, followed by critical SEC road games at South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Other strong opponents on the schedule include Auburn, LSU, and Ole Miss, many of which are on the road or in hostile environments.
Quarterback Uncertainty
The quarterback controversy surrounding Mateer adds an element of uncertainty to Oklahoma's offensive consistency and leadership. Mateer has not yet secured the starting role, which could impact team chemistry and performance in high-pressure games. This uncertainty, combined with the demanding schedule, may limit Oklahoma’s ability to compete at the top of the SEC in 2025.
Navigating Challenges for Success
Success for Oklahoma in 2025 will depend heavily on how they navigate early high-profile games and resolve their quarterback uncertainty. If the Sooners can manage to win against four of their seven ranked opponents, they are likely to finish the season with a record of 9-4. However, this may not be enough to rank higher than 18th in the AP Poll, as 12 of the 17 spots ahead of them are already taken.
The Road Ahead
The most challenging part of Oklahoma's schedule comes in the next six weeks, with five teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, three of which are away games and one neutral site. The Sooners' nonconference schedule is expected to net at least three wins, with games against Illinois State, Temple, and Kent State.
Potential Impact of Mateer's Allegations
If found guilty of sports gambling, Mateer could miss much, if not all, of the 2025 season. This would be a significant blow to the Sooners, as Mateer started all 12 games in 2024, passing for 3,139 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns. The absence of Mateer could make the home game against Michigan, known for its strong defense, even more challenging for Oklahoma.
A Look Back at 2023
Oklahoma finished the 2023 season with a record of 6-7, a stark contrast to their 26-year streak of being ranked in the AP Poll's Top 25. The team will be looking to bounce back in 2025, but the challenges ahead are formidable.
In summary, while Oklahoma has the potential talent to be competitive, the combination of a very tough 2025 SEC schedule and the quarterback controversy around John Mateer presents significant challenges they must overcome to contend for the conference championship. The road ahead is not easy, but the Sooners will be hoping to rise to the occasion and make a strong showing in the SEC.
Brent Venables took over as head coach ahead of the 2022 season.
If found guilty, Mateer could miss much, if not all, of the 2025 season.
Oklahoma will face Michigan at home, a game that could be challenging due to Michigan's strong defense, and potentially more so if Mateer is absent.
Mateer started all 12 games in 2024, passing for 3,139 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns.
Oklahoma football finished the 2023 season with a record of 6-7.
In the last 10 years, teams finishing 8-5 after bowl season have only been ranked as high as 18th in the final AP Poll, and 9-4 teams have only achieved a higher ranking five times.
Mateer also ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024.
After visiting Temple in week three, the Sooners will face Auburn in week four, followed by Kent State.
The teams they will contend with during this period include Texas (neutral site), South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, and a home game against Missouri.
If Oklahoma does not make the college football playoffs, they are likely to rank lower than 18th in the AP Poll, as 12 of the 17 spots ahead of them are already taken.
In total, Oklahoma will play seven games against currently ranked opponents, plus Auburn and Missouri at home.
The grueling 2025 schedule for Oklahoma football, which includes marquee matchups early against Michigan and tough SEC road games at South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama, presents a challenge for Brent Venables' team. The quarterback uncertainty surrounding John Mateer, who started all 12 games in 2024 and passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, adds to the difficulty of competing at the top of the SEC. The potential impact of Mateer's sports gambling allegations could further complicate their efforts to contend for the conference championship in college football.
