For years, the Oklahoma Sooners have been a perennial powerhouse in college football, regularly competing for Big 12 titles and making appearances in the College Football Playoff (CFP). But as the 2024 season looms, the question is no longer whether the Sooners have the recipe for success—it’s whether they have the right ingredients to capture a national championship and reclaim their spot among college football’s elite.
Under head coach Brent Venables, who took over in 2022, the Sooners have begun their rebuild with a renewed focus on defense and a more balanced offensive approach. While the program has the pieces in place to be successful, a series of crucial questions still hang in the air. Will the team’s explosive offensive style continue to thrive? Can the defense truly become a national force? And perhaps most importantly, do the Sooners have the right mix of talent, coaching, and mentality to compete at the highest level?
Let’s break down what makes Oklahoma such a tantalizing program to watch in 2024, and explore whether they have the right ingredients to cook up a championship run.
### The Foundation: Brent Venables’ Vision for Oklahoma
When Brent Venables took over as head coach in 2022, the Oklahoma Sooners were reeling from a disappointing 2021 season, with a transition to a new era looming. Venables, a defensive mastermind who helped guide Clemson to multiple national titles as their defensive coordinator, brought an intensity and focus on defense that had been missing in recent years. While Lincoln Riley’s high-flying offense had been a hallmark of the program, Venables understood that for Oklahoma to truly compete for championships in the modern era of college football, a much stronger defense was necessary.
Venables’ impact was immediately felt. In his first season, Oklahoma’s defense showed improvements, but it still lacked the consistency needed to truly challenge elite teams. Fast forward to 2024, and the defense is expected to take a massive leap forward, with better recruiting and development. Venables has an opportunity to shape the Sooners into a more balanced, well-rounded team—one that doesn’t just rely on explosive offense but can win with physicality, toughness, and a defense that can shut down top-tier opponents.
But while Venables’ defensive philosophy is a key part of the recipe for success, the other side of the ball—the offense—has to remain just as potent if Oklahoma is to win it all.
### Offense: A Formula That Still Works
Oklahoma’s offense has been its bread and butter for years, producing some of the most exciting players in college football, including Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. The Sooners’ ability to generate points quickly and in bunches has made them a dangerous team to face, and the offense is still expected to be a key strength heading into 2024. But is the offensive system sustainable for a championship run in the current college football landscape?
Under new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, the Sooners’ offense has kept its trademark up-tempo, high-scoring style, while also incorporating a more balanced attack. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, entering his second season at Oklahoma, has the skills to lead the offense, with an ability to make throws at all levels and a command of the spread system that suits him well. Gabriel’s experience at UCF, where he thrived under Lebby’s tutelage, has already translated into significant success for the Sooners, and he has the tools to take the offense to another level in 2024.
But Oklahoma’s offense, while potent, must evolve to compete with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and other top-tier teams that have built championship-caliber offenses and elite defenses. The Sooners’ reliance on explosive plays—while exciting—can sometimes lead to inconsistency, especially in high-pressure games where time of possession and ball control become crucial. To truly contend for a national title, the offense will need to find ways to balance its big-play potential with a more methodical, efficient style of play when necessary. Gabriel’s ability to read defenses, make adjustments, and limit turnovers will be critical.
Additionally, the Sooners will need their skill players, including wide receivers Marvin Mims and Jalil Farooq, to continue performing at a high level. The wide receiver room has long been a strength of the program, and if the Sooners are to reach their full potential, the wideouts will need to consistently create separation, make big catches, and help sustain drives when the offense is stalling.
### Defense: Can Venables Deliver on His Promise?
While Oklahoma’s offense has been consistently dominant, its defense has been the Achilles’ heel in recent years. Under Venables, the defense is expected to make a significant leap, but how much improvement is realistic in a single season?
Oklahoma’s defense showed flashes of brilliance in 2023 but still struggled against elite competition. The Sooners’ defensive line, while talented, had difficulties putting pressure on the quarterback consistently, and the secondary was often caught out of position against explosive offenses. But the talent is certainly there. Oklahoma has recruited some of the best defensive players in the country, and Venables’ defensive coaching pedigree gives fans hope that the defense will finally rise to the occasion in 2024.
A big key for Oklahoma will be the development of its pass rush. The Sooners need to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback in order to disrupt offenses. Linebackers like Danny Stutsman, who showed flashes of greatness in 2023, will play a central role in making sure that the defense doesn’t get overwhelmed. If Oklahoma can put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks while maintaining solid coverage in the secondary, it will have the ability to stifle high-powered offenses.
But it’s not just about the players—it’s about Venables’ ability to continue implementing his defensive vision. His success at Clemson showed that he knows how to build dominant defenses, and he’s already made strides toward improving Oklahoma’s defensive personnel. In 2024, we’ll see if Venables can turn his recruits into game-changers and if the defense can rise to the level necessary to win in the playoff.
### Special Teams and Depth: The Unsung Heroes
One often-overlooked but essential ingredient for any championship team is special teams and depth. In the modern game of college football, having a reliable kicker, a return specialist, and a strong special teams unit can make the difference in close games, and the Sooners are aware of this.
Additionally, depth is key for surviving the grueling 12-game regular season, plus potential playoff matchups. Oklahoma’s depth on both sides of the ball will be a determining factor in whether they can sustain success throughout the season and into the postseason. While the Sooners have loaded up on talent, the margin for error in today’s college football landscape is razor-thin, and injuries or fatigue could derail their plans if they don’t have capable backups to step in when necessary.
### Do They Have the Right Ingredients?
The Oklahoma Sooners undeniably have a lot of the right ingredients for success—great coaching in Venables, a high-powered offense, and an influx of talent that could make them dangerous on both sides of the ball. But as with any championship contender, the real test is whether these ingredients come together at the right time and in the right way.
For Oklahoma to win it all in 2024, the offense must continue to be explosive while adding a layer of consistency and control. The defense needs to transform into a top-tier unit capable of stopping elite offenses when it matters most. And while special teams and depth may not get the spotlight, they will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the Sooners’ title chase.
Ultimately, Oklahoma has the recipe for success. But do they have the right ingredients—specifically the defensive prowess, offensive balance, and mental toughness—to become national champions once again? Time will tell, but the Sooners have positioned themselves as one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2024. With the right mix of coaching, talent, and development, they could very well have what it takes to take the next step toward greatness.