We are a little less than four weeks until the start of the [autotag]2023 football season[/autotag]. Despite coming off a 6-7 season, there’s optimism about an improved campaign and expectations remain high.
The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] debuted at No. 19 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll. That is a good spot to be after a 6-7 season.
It is pivotal to get the program turned around and headed in the right direction this season before Oklahoma heads to the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. The Sooners are hoping their physical growth will provide the framework to be better up front ahead of their move to the SEC.
The coaches have seen significant growth in both an understanding of the system and the skills they’ll put on display in 2023. The team looks more confident in what it is doing. For these reasons, 247Sports named Oklahoma an underrated team heading into the 2023 season.
The wide assumption on the Sooners is they improve in Year 2 under [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] on roster enhancements alone, but won’t necessarily be a threat to win the Big 12. Oklahoma has an elite quarterback room with [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] and five-star freshman Jackson Arnold and Venables filled several positions of need through recruiting and portal signees in the 2023 cycle, making this group potentially better than advertised nationally heading into camp. Venables said he’s seen enough to be bullish on the potential of this year’s squad, which he said he puts no limits on. “I know for some people, that’s hard for them to see, but I have clear vision on what that looks like, and I’m really excited about this team,” he said. – Brad Crawford 247Sports
It also helps to have the schedule Oklahoma has in 2023. It sets up perfectly for a bounce-back season, letting everyone know last year was a fluke. Ultimately, Oklahoma is the only one who can prove the national perception right or wrong, and it starts this season.
An improved roster on the defensive side of the ball will make the biggest difference in Oklahoma’s ability to return to the top of the Big 12.
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