Joel Klatt sees the Oklahoma Sooners as a compelling underdog for 2025—yet still a long shot for a true playoff breakthrough. While convinced the pieces are in place for the Sooners to improve, he remains guarded, citing an incredibly punishing schedule that dims their College Football Playoff prospects.
Offense: A Much-Needed Overhaul
Klatt is bullish about the revamp on offense. He points out that last season was an outright disaster: Oklahoma struggled to move the ball, posted just 24 points per game, surrendered 50 sacks, and suffered 21 turnovers. It was, in his words, “some of the worst film I’ve ever seen.”
But this offseason, the Sooners addressed the mess. They’ve brought in a fresh offensive coordinator—Ben Arbuckle from Washington State—and quarterback John Mateer, also from Wazzu. Klatt is particularly impressed with Mateer: “I like Mateer a lot… he’s accurate, athletic, very good arm,” and is confident he’ll raise the offense immediately.
In short: Klatt believes the offense should see tangible improvement.
Defense: A Steady Foundation Under Venables
While offense was a glaring weak spot last year, Oklahoma’s defense under Brent Venables has been rebuilding steadily. Klatt notes that Venables—a defensive veteran now entering his fourth season—is back calling plays, and defense continues to strengthen. Last season’s unit gave up only about 21.5 points and 318 yards per game, forced 21 turnovers, and notched 35 sacks. Klatt frames this continuity as a major plus.
Preseason Ranking: Respect Laced With Caution
Given the program’s pedigree and the pieces in place, Klatt slots Oklahoma at No. 24 in his preseason Top-25. He struggles with placing them that low, grounded in trust for the program’s long tradition of success, Venables’ credibility, and Mateer’s potential. “I struggled here at the back of the Top-25 … a place that I trust, because they’re always successful.”
A Wild Card… With a Glaring “But”
On his show, Klatt calls Oklahoma a “major wild card” or potential sleeper for the College Football Playoff. These descriptors come with a sizable caveat: a brutal schedule that could sink their hopes.
He emphasizes that if the schedule were softer—more like Auburn’s—he’d be more inclined to back them. But it’s anything but soft. He lists the logjam of tough matchups they face down the stretch: Texas (neutral-site in Dallas), South Carolina (road), Ole Miss, Tennessee (road), Alabama (road), Missouri, and LSU.
Klatt reminds us this is a team that posted losing records in two of Venables’ first three years. Climbing from that baseline with this gauntlet ahead seems unlikely to push them into playoff contention. “Best-case is that they go into the Texas game undefeated,” he says, “and then they still have to find three or four more wins after that? I don’t like it.”
Summary: Bits of Hope, But Roadblocks Overwhelm
Let’s break it down:
- Offense: Completely restructured with new OC and quarterback—Klatt expects real improvement.
- Defense: Under Venables, it’s a known commodity—and it’s trending upward.
- Preseason Ranking: He slots them at No. 24, balancing program trust with realistic concerns.
- Playoff Viability: Technically possible, but the schedule—and recent inconsistency—make it a stretch.
- Bottom Line: The Sooners have upsides, but Klatt “can’t, in good conscience, pick them” for the CFP because of what lies ahead.
Final Thoughts
Joel Klatt paints a cautiously optimistic vision of the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners. There’s real potential in their revamped offense and steady, improving defense under Venables. Yet, he can’t ignore the gauntlet—Texas, SEC road trips, powerhouses aplenty—looming ahead. That’s what ultimately holds him back from confidently forecasting a playoff run.
