Oklahoma's football season has taken quite the turn as they find themselves facing formidable opponents and battling for bowl eligibility. The Sooners began the 2024 season on a high note, winning their first three games. But alas, things fell apart after thrilling moments transformed quickly, leading to five losses out of their last seven matchups. There’s no sugarcoatin'—this has been one rocky road.
After suffering setbacks against ranked rivals like Texas and South Carolina, Oklahoma now sits with a 5-5 overall record, and only one win to show for their SEC play, quite the challenge for Coach Brent Venables and his squad. The Sooners currently rank 15th within the SEC and haven’t put up remarkable numbers offensively, averaging 25.1 points per game and landing them at 93rd across the entire nation.
Following their recent loss to Missouri on November 9, the Sooners face a national powerhouse next: Alabama, who they will host on November 23. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, this matchup looms large not only for fan morale but also for postseason hopes. Alabama's Crimson Tide are no small competition; this game is pivotal for the Sooners and could very well dictate their season's final chapter.
But before we get too far ahead, let’s rewind. How did they get here? After starting the season strong, the Sooners ran headfirst against skilled opponents. They struggled against Texas, falling hard to the Longhorns 34-3, followed up by another rough outing against South Carolina resulting in a 35-9 defeat. That left the team shaken and scrambling back to find their rhythm as they bounce back from these blows.
"We need to tighten up and adjust our focus if we’re going to salvage the rest of this season," said Coach Venables after the latest loss, reflecting the urgency for improvements on both sides of the ball.
If the Sooners manage to secure victory against Alabama, they would need only one more win to clinch bowl eligibility for the 26th consecutive season, extending their streak dating back to the 1999 campaign. Every score counts now more than ever, as they end the regular season at No. 22 LSU.
Ok, so mark your calendars for the Alabama showdown. It’s the first time the two programs are meeting since Alabama's win over Oklahoma during the 2018 Orange Bowl. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable as the Sooners look to redeem themselves and keep their consecutive bowl streak alive.
Meanwhile, the Sooners have been using their recent bye weeks to regroup. Venables is reportedly taking this time to strategize on much-needed adjustments, especially filling gaps within the team, potentially utilizing the transfer portal to revamp their roster for next year.
Among the standout players pushing through this season is Jacobe Johnson, a sophomore who's stepping up by playing both sides of the ball. Johnson is proving his versatility, participating as both a wide receiver and cornerback, showcasing his elite speed and competitive spirit. Venables stated: "Jacobe's been practicing really well and he needs to keep this momentum moving forward." Playing on both sides is no easy feat at this level, yet Johnson rises to the occasion and embodies the resilience the Sooners need as they move on.
Looking forward, the road isn’t going to get any smoother. Following the heated matchup with Alabama, the Sooners are set to visit LSU for their last game of the regular season—a challenge wrapped up with rich history and fervent competition.
With high energy circulating around these upcoming games, Sooner fans have reasons to hope. Will they rise to the challenge against Alabama? Can they surpass LSU? Will they secure their place at the bowl once again? All indicators point to this season being filled with uncertainty, but every chance for redemption lies just around the corner.
