Brent Venables is back on the defensive and seems most comfortable that way, which is good, because Oklahoma is limping into Athens this Saturday. They are coming off two seriously sub-standard performances, and honestly, fans are already feeling the heat from Venables’ new six-year, $63 million extension, especially after that ugly 14-6 squeaker against New Mexico. The circumstances for Venables look perilous at best right now, but if you know his history, this might be exactly where he thrives.
The Comeback Kid: Venables’ History Against the Ropes
This isn’t Venables’ first rodeo playing from behind. In his first year, the Sooners went 6-7, and the warm welcome he got after replacing Lincoln Riley vanished faster than a free beer. He responded, though, with a 10-3 season that temporarily calmed some of those Sooner faithful nerves. Then things got rough again in his third year. Just when it looked truly awful, Venables pulled out a stunner: a 24-3 win over Alabama. That victory made them bowl eligible and probably saved his job. The final record was 6-7 again, sure, but they made a bowl game and beat Bama. See? When he’s doubted, that’s when he gets dangerous.
Last Season’s Wild Ride and This Year’s Rough Start
Last season was a total roller coaster. They started red hot, including a huge home win against Michigan. Then quarterback John Mateer fractured his thumb against Auburn, missed a game, and wasn’t the same when he came back. Texas absolutely dominated them in the Red River Rivalry, and fans were getting restless. Mateer got better physically, but two weeks later, they dropped a winnable game at home against Ole Miss. Suddenly, their margin for error evaporated with a brutal November schedule staring them down. But guess what? They responded! They won at Tennessee, at Alabama, and at home against Missouri and LSU. Just a month after everyone wrote them off, they earned a home playoff game. Now, here we are, expectations sky-high coming into this season, and Oklahoma is limping into Georgia. Venables is back to feeling slighted, and, as a result, occasionally snarky with the media. Classic Venables.
This guy hasn’t changed since his playing days as an undersized, tough linebacker at Kansas State with a serious chip on his shoulder. He’s still got that chip, still most dangerous when doubted, and he’ll stubbornly stick to his principles. The Sooners have the No. 2 team in Georgia this Saturday, then the No. 1 team in Texas in Dallas two weeks later. It’s a brutal stretch. But look, he doesn’t have a horrible team. They’ve got one of the nation’s best defenses and an offense with potential that just keeps getting in its own way. They are minus-5 in turnover margin the past two games and could have won both. If they can clean that up, and Venables can channel that “against the ropes” energy, he’ll be the least surprised person in college football if they shock Georgia, Texas, or both. Get ready, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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