Latest news with #OUFootball
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football announces details for Meet the Sooners Day
NORMAN — OU football's annual Meet the Sooners Day will be held Saturday, Aug. 2 at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The event begins at 1 p.m. and last 90 minutes. This year's Meet the Sooners Day is available only to 1Oklahoma members (age 13 and older) or OG&E Sooner Kids Club members (age 12 and younger. Sooner Kids Club members must be accompanied by an adult. Subscriptions to 1Oklahoma can be purchased on the collective's website. Sooner Kids Club memberships are available for $50 annually. The club includes access to other exclusive experiences and admission to several home OU sporting events. Representatives from both groups will be at the even to assist with new subscriptions and memberships. More: Mussatto: OU football is on unstable ground with Joe Castiglione's impending retirement Members of both clubs will receive a pair of mobile tickets approximately 24 hours before Meet the Sooners Day, with the tickets being non-transferrable. Screenshots will not be valid for entry. Attendees will enter at Gate 5 in the northwest corner of the stadium and regular game day metal-detector and clear-bag policies remain in effect. Schedule posters will be available for free to have autographed and fans may also bring on other item to have signed during the event. Only water will be available for purchase at the event, though fans can bring their own food and bottled water. Cool-zone areas will also be available. Fans can park in the Asp Avenue Parking Facility and Jenkins Avenue Parking Facility (southwest of Lindsey and Jenkins), as well as the Duck Pond lot east of the stadium. The Sooner Shop on the bottom level of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility on the stadium's west side will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day of the event. Ticketing representatives will be available near Gate 5. OU opens its season Aug. 30 against Illinois State. MUSSATTO: OU football is on unstable ground with Joe Castiglione's impending retirement Ryan Aber covers OU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ryan? He can be reached at raber@ or on Twitter at @RyAber. Sign up for the OU Sooners newsletter to access more OU coverage. Support Ryan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football announces details for Meet the Sooners Day
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where did Brent Venables land on CBS Sports hot seat ratings?
It's a huge year for the Oklahoma Football program. I'm sure you've heard that more times than you've wanted to this offseason. But that's the state of OU Football after a 6-7 season in 2024. They, and more specifically, the head coach, have a lot to prove in 2025. CBS Sports released their head coach hot seat ratings for the 2025 season, and Brent Venables was rated a 3 on their 0-5 scale. Zero represents "untouchable" and five is "win or be fired." 28 coaches landed on the untouchable side of things, while only Arkansas' Sam Pittman was given a five. Venables' "three" rating landed him among the "pressure is mounting" crowd. It's understandable given a second 6-7 season in three years. Though a lot of what happened can be attributed to the injury woes on the offense, winning is the name of the game. But that's why the program has been all-in this offseason to rectify the issues that plagued them a year ago. They're deeper along the offensive line, a unit that was banged up and young. Oklahoma added the top quarterback in the portal and a former 1,300-yard running back as well. They added five transfer portal wide receivers and three portal tight ends. In essence, it's a nearly new unit on offense that new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is working with to try to lead Oklahoma to a rebound season in 2025. And the offense needs to have a good season for the Sooners to be in contention. If the offense is good, Oklahoma will be a contender. Brent Venables has done the job of resurrecting an Oklahoma defense that was a weakness for much of the last decade and a half. But unfortunately, there wasn't an offense in 2024 to match. But the stars could align in 2025 for Brent Venables to do what Shane Beamer and Billy Napier did in 2024: coach himself off the hot seat. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What will OU football's record be after 2025 season? We predict each Sooners game
After finishing 6-7 for the second time in Brent Venables' three seasons, the OU football program enters the 2025 season needing to show plenty of improvement. The SEC schedule is unforgiving, with home games against Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU, and road games against South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama to go with the annual showdown against Texas in Dallas. Advertisement The Sooners' non-conference schedule also features a showdown with fellow blueblood Michigan. With less than three months before the start of the season, OU beat writers Ryan Aber and Colton Sulley take a game-by-game look at the Sooners' schedule: More: ESPN sets OU football kickoff windows for 2025 SEC regular season games vs. Illinois State 5 p.m., Aug. 30 (SEC Network+) Aber: The Redbirds were solid last season, going 10-4 and making it to the second round of the FCS playoffs. But OU shouldn't have a problem dispatching of Illinois State. The Sooners' defense figures to make life difficult on the Redbirds' offense, which hasn't scored against an FBS opponent since 2019. And with John Mateer running Ben Arbuckle's offense, OU will score plenty to put the game away by early in the second half at the latest. It might not be perfect, but it'll be a victory for the Sooners. vs. Michigan 6:30 p.m., Sept. 6 (ABC) Sulley: This matchup is one of the most anticipated non-conference games in all of college football. Michigan coach Sherrone Moore returning to his alma mater. Two historic football brands facing off for the second time ever and first time since 1976. Furthermore, it'll be the first chance to see OU's new look offense led by Arbuckle and Mateer face an elite defense. I wouldn't be surprised if this one goes either way, especially with a Wolverines defense that could be one of the best groups nationally. But I'll give a slight edge to the Sooners at home with a more experienced quarterback in Mateer against the talented Michigan true freshman Bryce Underwood in his first road contest. Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore played offensive for OU in the mid-2000s, including helping the Sooners win the 2007 Big 12 title. at Temple 11 a.m., Sept. 13 (ESPN2) Aber: Even with what turned out to be a historically bad offense, the Sooners scored 51 points against the Owls last season, with Deion Burks scoring three touchdowns. Temple figures to get better — eventually at least — under first-year coach K.C. Keeler, but this early in the season, OU figures to be able to pull away from the Owls early and build some momentum heading into SEC play. Advertisement More: OU football announces front office staff hires under new GM Jim Nagy Oklahoma's John Mateer looks to throw a pass during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Crimson Combine at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 12, 2025. vs. Auburn 2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m. , Sept. 20 (TBD) Sulley: Jackson Arnold's return to Norman. The former OU quarterback will obviously be inspired for this one and Auburn will be out for revenge after OU stole a game in an instant classic last season. The Sooners return a plethora of defensive starters and should overwhelm the Tigers' offense. OU has a better roster and should begin SEC play 1-0. vs. Kent State 3 p.m., Oct. 4 (SEC Network) Aber: The Golden Flashes are just 1-23 over the last two seasons under Kenni Burns. Burns was placed on administrative leave in late March and was fired April 11, with offensive coordinator Mark Carney taking over as interim coach for the 2025 season. While the Michigan game offers a stiff test for the Sooners, the rest of the non-conference schedule is incredibly soft and that'll be evidenced once again in this game as OU rolls. vs. Texas (in Dallas) 2:30 p.m., Oct. 11 (ABC or ESPN) Sulley: This game is usually a toss-up and perhaps the hardest to predict in recent years. Texas, a playoff team in back-to-back seasons, is loaded and will be led by the ultra-talented but unproven quarterback Arch Manning. The Longhorns should win this game but OU's revamped offense will score touchdowns and keep it closer than last year's blowout. As for me, I'm excited for another 2:30 p.m. kick. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables talks with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. at South Carolina 11 a.m.-noon, Oct. 18 (TBD) Aber: This was perhaps OU's most disappointing game in 2024, when the Gamecocks scored thrice in the first 5:20 to put the game away not long after it began. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers played a big role in South Carolina's eventual 35-9 win, and Sellers is back in 2025. Williams-Brice Stadium is also one of the more underrated atmospheres in college football. Former OU assistant Shane Beamer gets another victory over the Sooners. vs. Ole Miss 11 a.m.-noon, Oct. 25 (TBD) Sulley: This is an interesting one. Coach Lane Kiffin and Mississippi should be competitive again next season with new quarterback Austin Simmons. I'd rank Mississippi as a better team as of now, but my opinion on this game will likely change as the season inches closer. Feels like a game OU could win at home but the SEC's week-to-week schedule is a grind. Advertisement More: OU football lands OL Noah Best in 2026 recruiting class at Tennessee 2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m., Nov. 1 (TBD) Aber: This one would've been a fairly easy pick for Tennessee until mid-April, when quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the team amid a dispute over his NIL deal. Iamaleava eventually transferred to UCLA, leaving Josh Heupel's Vols with a void at the most important position. Joey Aguilar isn't bad, having thrown for nearly 7,000 combined yards over the last two seasons for Appalachian State, but the Sooners have the edge at quarterback with Mateer. OU finds a way to pull this one out. at Alabama 2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m., Nov. 15 (TBD) Sulley: Another revenge game against OU. You've got to think coach Kalen DeBoer, star wide receiver Ryan Williams and new quarterback Ty Simpson will be out for blood in mid-November in Tuscaloosa after watching the Sooners storm Owen Field after upsetting the Crimson Tide last season. If Simpson is the real deal, Alabama will be much-improved and get the job done against OU inside a rocking Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. vs. Missouri 11 a.m., Nov. 22 (ABC or ESPN) Aber: Missouri figures to take a bit of a step back this season with Brady Cook, Luther Burden, Theo Wease and Nate Noel all having departed from the Tigers' 2024 offense. Missouri needed two touchdowns in the final 1:03 to escape the Sooners last season, and there won't be a miracle coming this time around with the game in Norman. vs. LSU 2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m., Nov. 29 (TBD) Sulley: LSU has aspirations for an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff berth this season. Coach Brian Kelly has perhaps his best roster since arriving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is projected to be one of the nation's premier quarterbacks. The Tigers' roster is loaded, and while I think OU will be much-improved and have an advantage at home, it's hard not to see LSU being favored in this one. Advertisement More: OU football hires Jonathan Gress from New Orleans Saints as new head trainer What will OU football's 2025 record be? Aber: I'm going with 7-5 for the Sooners this season. They could go just below or a game or two above that if things fall right. In a critical season for Brent Venables and OU, they'll show vast improvement on the offensive side, but it will be up to the Sooners' defense how the season goes as a whole. OU's defensive line needs to be at the center of that defense this season. If it is, the Sooners could be at the fringes of the CFP discussion, but it's more likely OU finishes slightly above .500. Sulley: For now, I'm predicting the Sooners to finish 8-4 with losses to Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and LSU, which would be a vast improvement from last year and be deemed a successful season in my mind. If we do this again before the season, my predictions will inevitably look different. I could really see OU losing to Michigan and finishing 7-5 or stealing a late SEC game and finishing 9-3, winding up in the CFP conversation. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What will OU football's 2025 record be? We predict each Sooners game
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football loses QB Jaden O'Neal from 2026 recruiting class amid Bowe Bentley battle
NORMAN — What was speculated for months is now official. Four-star 2026 quarterback Jaden O'Neal decommitted from OU on Thursday night, he announced via social media. O'Neal had been committed to the Sooners since last June. Advertisement "I was recruited by (former offensive coordinator) coach Seth Littrell and I believed in the vision and support I felt from the entire Sooner family," O'Neal wrote. "More than just my talent and skill set, I appreciated how the staff respected me for who I am and for the values my parents instilled in me. "But a lot has changed since last June." More: What will OU football's record be after 2025 season? We predict each Sooners game O'Neal's decision comes as the Sooners are in a hotly contested battle with LSU for four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley. Bentley visited OU earlier this month and is expected to make his decision soon. Advertisement Bentley participated in Elite 11, the nation's premier quarterback competition, this past week in Los Angeles and ESPN reported Thursday night the Sooners are efforting heavily to get Bentley back on campus this weekend. O'Neal, the No. 1 player in Oklahoma and No. 14 quarterback nationally according to 247Sports' Composite ranking, transferred from Narbonne High School in California to Mustang High School this past spring. He visited Florida State earlier this week. O'Neal is the second commit the Sooners have lost this week, joining three-star interior offensive lineman Will Conroy, who flipped to North Carolina. "I want to personally thank coach Seth Littrell, coach Jack Lowary and coach (Ty Hatchett) for believing in me," O'Neal wrote. Advertisement More: OU football lands RB DeZephen Walker in 2026 recruiting class Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@ or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football loses QB Jaden O'Neal from Sooners' 2026 recruiting class
