Troubles Mount for Brent Venables as SEC Insider Exposes Sooners’ Biggest Concern No One Is Talking About

As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up for their highly anticipated move to the SEC, expectations for the program have been nothing short of sky-high. Under head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners were expected to remain a top-tier football program, continuing their tradition of success and championship contention. However, as the 2025 season progresses, troubling signs are emerging for Venables and his squad. Despite recruiting success, a storied program, and high aspirations, a major concern is beginning to bubble to the surface — one that few are talking about, but that could significantly affect the Sooners as they enter their new conference.

The issue at hand? The defensive struggles and lack of consistent playmakers that are causing serious concerns for the Oklahoma defense, and by extension, the overall balance of the team. As an SEC insider recently pointed out, the Sooners’ defense — once a staple of their success under legendary coaches like Bob Stoops — is now an area of deep worry that could prevent them from competing at the elite level they aspire to in their new conference home.

While much of the focus has been on their offensive capabilities and recruiting successes, it’s the defensive performance, or rather the lack of improvement in certain key areas, that is quietly becoming the biggest challenge for Venables as he faces his toughest test yet as the head coach of Oklahoma.

Brent Venables’ Vision for the Sooners

When Brent Venables took over as Oklahoma’s head coach, the expectations were clear. His reputation as one of the top defensive minds in college football, built during his time as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, gave the Sooners an edge in recruiting and set a clear tone for the direction of the program. Venables was expected to revive a defense that had become increasingly porous under Lincoln Riley, whose focus was predominantly on offense.

The decision to bring Venables in was rooted in the desire to return Oklahoma to its roots — a balanced team that could play both sides of the ball at a high level. Venables’ background as a defensive coach, including his experience helping Clemson to national championships, made him the ideal candidate to rebuild a defense that had been overshadowed by Oklahoma’s high-scoring offense in recent years.

The 2022 season under Venables was a mixed bag. The Sooners’ defense showed flashes of improvement but struggled to maintain consistency. Meanwhile, offensively, the team was adjusting to the post-Riley era, with new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby taking over. The early days of the Venables regime were marked by growing pains, especially with a defense that couldn’t seem to sustain its momentum throughout the season.

Despite those struggles, optimism remained high. After all, Venables had proven track records at other schools and had been successful in molding defenses that were physical, relentless, and dominant. So, while there were some hiccups early on, the assumption was that the defense would be fine-tuned in 2023 and beyond.

However, as the team prepares for the move to the SEC in 2025, the pressure on Venables has intensified. Fans and analysts alike are beginning to ask the difficult question: Can Venables’ defense stand up to the powerhouse offenses of the SEC, particularly in a conference known for its physical, hard-hitting play?

The Emerging Concern: Defensive Inconsistency

The biggest issue plaguing the Sooners’ defense is inconsistency. This issue manifests in multiple ways: a lack of playmaking ability in the secondary, struggles with defensive line pressure, and an inability to close out games when it matters most. The Sooners have had moments of brilliance, such as big plays on third down or timely stops in key situations, but these moments have been too few and far between.

One of the most glaring concerns has been the lack of dominant defensive players who can consistently change the game. Venables has recruited well on that side of the ball, but as the SEC Insider pointed out, many of the Sooners’ defensive players still seem to be “waiting to develop.” While the future may hold promise, the present is uncertain, and as the team heads into SEC play, they are entering a new era of college football where teams need to be able to stop powerhouse offenses week in and week out.

Defensive Line Pressure

A hallmark of a Venables-coached defense is pressure on the quarterback, and that’s an area where the Sooners have struggled. Historically, Oklahoma’s defenses have been known for their ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, forcing them into mistakes and disrupting the timing of the offense. Under Venables, the goal has been to bring that same level of intensity to Norman. However, the defensive line, while talented, has not yet been able to consistently pressure quarterbacks to the level that’s necessary in the SEC.

The Sooners have had some bright spots in the trenches — players like defensive lineman Jalen Redmond have shown flashes of brilliance. Still, the lack of depth and consistent pressure from the front seven remains a major concern. In the SEC, where quarterbacks and offenses are more sophisticated and protected by superior offensive lines, the ability to disrupt the passer is even more critical. Without a dominant pass rush, Oklahoma’s defense will find it increasingly difficult to stop the high-powered offenses they will face in the SEC.

Secondary Struggles

While Oklahoma has seen improvement in their defensive backfield, their secondary has often been a weak point, and this is an area that needs to be addressed before they face off against SEC offenses. The Sooners have had trouble in coverage at times, and there have been several instances of blown coverages leading to big plays. This is especially problematic considering the elite wide receivers and quarterbacks that play in the SEC.

With teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU poised to challenge for the conference crown every season, the Sooners will need to have a secondary that can cover a variety of offensive threats. They also need safeties who can support in run defense while still being able to cover tight ends and wide receivers in passing situations. Oklahoma’s defensive backs have shown they have the talent, but they have lacked the consistency to keep top-tier offenses at bay.

This is a long-term issue, one that Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof must address immediately. In a conference as demanding as the SEC, a lack of solid coverage in the secondary could be the difference between a team competing for a championship and a team fighting for bowl eligibility.

Lack of Depth Across the Defense

Another pressing concern for Venables is the lack of depth at several key positions across the defense. While Oklahoma has recruited some talented defensive players, the Sooners are still thin in some areas, particularly in the trenches and at linebacker. The Sooners’ ability to rotate fresh bodies and stay aggressive for four quarters is something that the top SEC teams excel at, but Oklahoma’s depth doesn’t always allow for that.

With injuries being a constant factor in the grind of an SEC season, depth is critical. If key players on the defensive line or in the secondary go down, can Oklahoma’s backup players step up and maintain the same level of performance? So far, the answer has been no, and that’s a significant worry.

Venables’ Scheme: Will it Translate to the SEC?

One of the fundamental questions about Venables’ defense is whether his aggressive, blitz-heavy schemes will translate to success in the SEC. Venables is known for his ability to create pressure with multiple blitz packages, keeping offenses off balance and creating turnovers. But in the SEC, offenses are faster, more explosive, and better coached. It’s one thing to pressure a Big 12 quarterback, but it’s another to pressure an SEC quarterback who has been groomed to handle that kind of chaos.

As the SEC Insider notes, there’s a concern that Venables’ reliance on complex defensive schemes may put too much pressure on his players to execute. In the Big 12, that’s often worked due to the nature of the offenses, but in the SEC, offenses are more disciplined and capable of adjusting. If the Sooners are to succeed, they need to find a balance between aggressiveness and fundamental defense.

Recruiting and Future Outlook

Despite these concerns, Venables has proven that he can recruit at a high level, and that’s perhaps the biggest reason for hope moving forward. The Sooners’ recruiting classes under Venables have been strong, and he’s bringing in some of the top defensive talent in the country. The hope is that with time, the depth issues will be addressed, and the defensive players will continue to develop under Venables’ system.

Still, the move to the SEC is fast approaching, and while the future may look bright, the Sooners need to show significant improvement on defense in the coming seasons if they are to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU in the brutal conference.