Oklahoma football’s 25-year streak of being ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll ended on August 4, 2025, as the Sooners were left out of the top 25 for the first time since 1999. Despite high expectations for a bounce-back season under head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s 6-7 record in 2024, including a 2-6 SEC performance, led to the snub. The team received the most votes among unranked teams, indicating they’re close to the top 25, but face a tough 2025 schedule, including matchups against seven ranked teams like No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Michigan.
Oklahoma football fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling 2025 season! After a disappointing 6-7 debut in the SEC, the Sooners are poised to flip the script under head coach Brent Venables. With a revamped offense, a ferocious defense, and a fanbase hungry for glory, Oklahoma is ready to reclaim its blue-blood status. Here’s a speculative, fan-focused breakdown of what could be a breakout year, predicting a 10-2 record and a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
The Sooners kick off against FCS Illinois State on August 30, a tune-up game that’ll see running back Jaydn Ott, the Cal transfer who rushed for 1,315 yards in 2023, explode for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Expect a 45-10 rout as quarterback John Mateer, the Washington State transfer, finds his rhythm under new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Week 2 brings a blockbuster against No. 14 Michigan in Norman. Mateer’s dual-threat ability—3,139 passing yards and 826 rushing yards in 2024—will overwhelm Michigan’s rebuilding roster. A 31-24 victory, sealed by a late interception from corner Eli Bowen, sends Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.
Oklahoma heads to Temple in Week 3, a road trip that’s more about Philly cheesesteaks than competition. The Sooners’ defense, led by All-SEC second-team defensive end R Mason Thomas (nine sacks in 2024), will smother the Owls for a 51-7 blowout. SEC play begins in Week 4 against Auburn, where former Sooner QB Jackson Arnold returns. Mateer outshines his predecessor, throwing for 250 yards and two scores, while Ott powers through for 100 yards. A 34-20 win sets the tone for SEC dominance. Kent State in Week 5 is another layup, with Oklahoma’s depth shining in a 48-14 rout, giving backups like running back Xavier Robinson a chance to dazzle.
The Red River Rivalry against No. 1 Texas in Week 6 is the season’s pivot point. Oklahoma’s revamped offensive line, bolstered by transfer Joshua Akinkunmi, holds firm, allowing Mateer to connect with wideout Deion Burks for a 75-yard touchdown. The Sooners’ defense, with safety Robert Spears-Jennings and linebacker Kobie McKinzie (projected for 125 tackles), forces two turnovers. A 33-30 overtime thriller ends with a game-winning field goal from UTSA transfer Tate Sandell, igniting pandemonium among Sooner fans.
Post-Texas, the schedule gets brutal. At South Carolina in Week 7, Oklahoma’s offense struggles against a stout Gamecock defense, but Thomas’s two sacks keep it close. A late Mateer scramble secures a 27-24 win. Ole Miss in Week 8 at home is a shootout, with Mateer throwing for 300 yards and Burks nearing 100 receiving yards. The Sooners edge out a 38-35 victory, proving their offensive firepower. At No. 8 Tennessee in Week 9, Neyland Stadium’s roar is deafening, and Oklahoma falters, dropping a 31-21 contest as Mateer throws a rare interception.
After a bye, Oklahoma faces No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide’s revamped roster under Kalen DeBoer proves too much, and the Sooners fall 34-17, exposing offensive line depth issues. Back home, Missouri in Week 12 is a rebound game. Ott rushes for 120 yards, and the defense stifles the Tigers’ attack for a 28-17 win. The finale against LSU in Norman is a statement game. Mateer’s 350 total yards and a late sack by David Stone secure a 31-28 upset, capping a 10-2 (6-2 SEC) regular season.
This dream season lands Oklahoma as the No. 8 seed in the CFP, hosting Indiana in the first round. With Mateer’s Heisman-worthy stats (3,700 passing yards, 500 rushing), Ott’s 1,200-yard campaign, and a top-25 defense, the Sooners roll 41-20. While a semifinal loss to Georgia looms, 2025 will restore Oklahoma’s swagger, proving Venables can lead the Sooners back to national prominence. Boomer Sooner!
