ATLANTA — The Oklahoma Sooners, a storied program with a legacy of seven national championships, have faced uncharacteristic struggles in recent years. After two 6-7 seasons in three years and a 13th-place finish in the SEC under coach Brent Venables, the Sooners hope to get back on track this season.

Florida or Oklahoma could hold the College Football Playoff committee's feet to the fire, on heels of SEC's strength of schedule campaign.

Emmy-winning director Chip Rives, Alabama native & award-winning writer/producer Keith Dunnavant team up for hour-long ‘SEC Storied’ documentary

This offseason, the Oklahoma Sooners went to the transfer portal and got quarterback John Mateer for the 2025-26 season. Mateer played at Washington State last season, where, statistically, he was one of the best QBs in the country.

Oklahoma, which finished tied for 14th in the SEC last year, ranked sixth in the preseason power rankings published this week by USA TODAY Sports.

The battles on the practice field have been much more competitive since the Sooners added quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Robert Spears-Jennings has full confidence in Brent Venables and he's ready to take the next step as a leader.

In the three years since head coach Lincoln Riley left campus for the lights of Los Angeles, the Oklahoma Sooners have found themselves mired in mediocrity. Two 6-7 seasons were interrupted by a promising 10-3 campaign in 2023, but Brent Venables is under pressure to pull away from Riley's shadow and establish a new era of Oklahoma football.

Jackson Arnold was supposed to be the next great quarterback at Oklahoma-- a five-star prospect who lit up Texas high school football. But things unraveled fast. He was benched just four games into his first season as the Sooners' starter in 2024.