As 2023 approaches, Oklahoma will see a lot of changes in the coming year. Years in the works, OU will wear Southeastern Conference patches on its shoulder pads instead of Big 12 ones when the Sooners take the field for Brent Venables’ first game in charge. Before guiding Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley’s squad in 2024, quarterback
Jackson Arnold will have spent the whole spring and summer as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. Meanwhile, a fresh group of recruits and transfers will be adjusting to life in Norman.
Although OU’s 10-3 record in the second season of Venables replaced 2022’s 6-7 record, there is still much space for growth if the Sooners are to return to the College Football Playoff in the first year of the 12-team field that will be extended.
As one of the most penalised teams in the nation, Oklahoma concluded 2023. After the Alamo Bowl, the Sooners’ average of 6.77 penalties per game tied for 103rd place. On the road, false starts were a recurring problem that was exacerbated by two bench penalties in consecutive weeks against Kansas and Oklahoma State, which both contributed to extended drives in the fourth quarter that finally crushed the Sooners.
Between struggles in the kicking game to general offensive inconsistencies and the unknown of a young starting quarterback in 2024, OU simply can’t afford to play undisciplined football and expect to be competitive in the SEC next year.
There are no more justifications for the Sooners’ continued accumulation of yellow flags under Venables going into Year 3, so everyone has to improve as the penalty problems weren’t limited to one side of the ball. Players will be starting their third season under Venables in defence, so there shouldn’t be as much confusion about where to be and more emphasis on honing technique to win every play without drawing a foul. Littrell and Finley will have the opportunity to focus on improving their offensive skills without attempting to run the offence at Jeff Lebby’s lightning-fast speed, which occasionally seemed to cause more harm than good.
