ESPN’s power rankings landed earlier this week. We are on a crash course to real football, with week zero six days away. Many pundits believe Oklahoma is one of the 25 best teams in the country to start, but it’ll be up to the Sooners to live up to those top 25 rankings.
In those rankings, ESPN’s staff included best and worst-case scenarios for each team. Oklahoma slotted in at No.22, and here’s what they had to say about the best and worst-case scenario for Oklahoma this 2023 season.
Best case: The Sooners, behind a healthy quarterback Dillon Gabriel and a revitalized defense, put it all together and return to the OU standard, claiming one more Big 12 title on their way out the door to finish off two decades of dominance. – Wilson, ESPN
Worst case: After last year’s 49-0 debacle, another humbling loss to Texas would set off alarm bells early in Venables’ career, particularly with the Sooners gearing up for the SEC. An SMU team that loaded up on transfers under coach Rhett Lashlee could prove to be a threat in Week 2 if the defense hasn’t rounded into form yet. A loss in Stillwater would send the Cowboys out of Bedlam with one final victory they can claim forever. But that’s just the beginning of a fraught November schedule in which they’ll get West Virginia (the Mountaineers beat them last year) then a long, tough trip to Provo against a physical BYU team, only to face TCU in Fort Worth six days later. Another losing season would be a complete stunner with this schedule, but if the Sooners aren’t competitive in key games, the pressure could start to mount. – Wilson, ESPN
Let’s face it, Oklahoma’s season largely hinges on the defense’s ability to be better than last year.
Offensively, the Sooners should be fine with Dillon Gabriel back, but defensively, real change needs to be evident. ESPN’s best-case scenario echoes this sentiment.
Oklahoma’s schedule is a favorable one that, with a competent defense, should allow the Sooners to be in a position to head to Arlington to fight for one last Big 12 title. One last Big 12 title seems like the benchmark for an outstanding season. It’s a realistic goal for Oklahoma should the necessary units take the step forward that they need to.
If that defense doesn’t show up and Oklahoma finishes in the bottom third in total defense again? Well, things will get weird in Norman. Another losing season would have local and national media asking serious questions about Brent Venables and the rest of this Oklahoma staff.
Everything is on the table for Oklahoma right now. While there was an infusion of talent this offseason, until we see consistent wins, Oklahoma is still in wait-and-see mode. The No. 22 ranking is a perfect spot for them to land before the season starts. They have the talent to be one of the best 10-15 teams in the NCAA, but will all the parts come together to make that a reality and not just a projection?
We’ll begin to find out on September 2nd.
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