Why a major College Football pundit just compared Oklahoma to Michigan, Texas Tech, and Alabama

There will be no rematch with the Crimson Tide, with whom the Sooners are 2-1 in their last three matchups over the past two seasons, and were bumped from the CFP by, or any matchups with the former Big 12 rival Red Raiders.

Still, there will be major prove-it games for Venables and Co., none more important than their primary blood rival.

Red River Rivalry vs Texas could determine Brent Venables’ future in Oklahoma

It’s been said that if Oklahoma can’t end a two-game losing slide to the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry and can’t otherwise make the CFP and win at least a game or two, that Venables’ time in the Sooner State may be running out.

OU has been a major spender for many years in NIL/rev-share, but particularly so in the past two recruiting cycles. Signing star Washington State Cougars transfer quarterback John Mateer and importing his play-caller, Ben Arbuckle, was supposed to dramatically move the needle forward for the Sooners.

If they can’t aid what was admittedly a strong defensive effort from Venables and Co. in 2026, big changes are almost assuredly coming to Oklahoma. No game represents a bigger inflection point than the Red River Rivalry, since Texas is the kind of team that Pate not-so-subtly hinted is ahead of the Sooners, Wolverines, Red Raiders, and Crimson Tide.