Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners a sleeper national title contender

Published

4 weeks ago

June 16, 2025

Oklahoma Sooners a sleeper national title contender

The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the more popular teams in the nation to see an improvement from their 6-7 record in 2024. Though the opponents are the same, and Oklahoma has one of the five toughest schedules in college football, experts are high on what Brent Venables has done this offseason.

Though there’s optimism the Sooners will rebound from their disappointing season in 2024, the Sooners still have a lot to prove. USA TODAY Sports Blake Toppemeyer believes Oklahoma could be one of the sleeper teams to contend for the national title. The odds are long at +6600, according to BetMGM, but the changes they’ve made could reap huge rewards.

Oklahoma’s roster looks substantially better on the heels of a losing season that sparked Brent Venables to bring in quarterback John Mateer from Washington State. Mateer’s offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, followed the quarterback to Norman to run Oklahoma’s offense. Win-win. Another win: Landing standout running back Jadyn Ott, a California transfer. Oklahoma returned a lot of production, and it surely can’t be as injury plagued as last season. That leaves the manhole, though, of arguably the nation’s most daunting schedule, which could swallow even an improved Sooners team. – Toppemeyer, USA TODAY Sports

For years, Oklahoma had some of the best offenses in college football but were held back by their defense. Last year, it was the other way around. If Oklahoma wants to contend in the SEC and secure a College Football Playoff berth, everything has to come together this year. The defense must be as good or better than it was last year, and the offense must return to what is expected at Oklahoma. And as important as all of that, the Sooners need some good fortune on the injury front.

Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle, and Jim Nagy made significant additions on both sides of the ball to give the Sooners a boost. But it’s the offensive improvement that drives the optimism with Oklahoma. If John Mateer, an improved offensive line, and Jaydn Ott can find a rhythm early in the season, the Sooners will be tough to beat and a surprise contender in 2025.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Lawmakers criticize Oklahoma Highway Patrol decision to stop urban enforcement

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Press Room

Lawmakers criticize Oklahoma Highway Patrol decision to stop urban enforcement

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two Oklahoma lawmakers are questioning the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s decision to withdraw resources from urban areas later this year. Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, said he has asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to weigh in on whether the decision to stop patrolling in Oklahoma and Tulsa areas are constitutional, while Rep. Ross […]

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma president names ‘most important’ factor in search to replace Joe Castiglione

Published

4 days ago

July 8, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma president names ‘most important’ factor in search to replace Joe Castiglione

For the first time in nearly 3 decades, Oklahoma is searching for a new athletic director.

Joe Castiglione, who was hired by the university in 1998, is set to retire at some point over the next year. That news was reported on Monday and later confirmed by the university. On Tuesday morning, Castiglione and Oklahoma president Joe Harroz held a press conference to discuss Castiglione’s tenure and OU’s succession plan.

When asked about the factors that will guide OU during this search, Harroz gave a clear answer.

“The athletic director we’re looking for next is someone who can see the landscape and have the ability to act,” Harroz said. “The most important attribute is someone who understands the changing landscape.”

Joe Harroz on what they are looking for in the next AD hire: “The athletic director we’re looking for next is someone who can see the landscape and have the ability to act… The most important attribute is someone who understands the changing landscape.” #Sooners
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) July 8, 2025

Dabble is legal in Oklahoma! Here’s how you can earn a Dabble promo code to help you get started with one of the best DFS apps on the market!

The evolving nature of the college football landscape is something Castiglione handled quite well over his tenure. While Castiglione managed things like the beginning of the transfer portal and NIL eras, his successor will need to navigate the start of the revenue-sharing era as well as other potential changes that have yet to unfold in college athletics.

Randall Stephenson, Chair of OU football, will lead the search for the program’s next athletic director. Stephenson is, amongst other things, the former CEO of AT&T. Stephenson joined Oklahoma in December of 2024.

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University Welcomes Class XV of McKnight Scholars – Oklahoma State University

Published

4 days ago

July 7, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma State University Welcomes Class XV of McKnight Scholars – Oklahoma State University

Monday, July 7, 2025

Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu

The Hargis Leadership Institute at Oklahoma State University has announced the selection
of Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program. This year, 50 outstanding
out-of-state students were chosen for their demonstrated leadership, academic excellence
and commitment to service.

Made possible by the generosity of Ross and Billie McKnight, the McKnight Scholars
Leadership Program is one of the nation’s premier undergraduate leadership experiences.
Each year, a select group of high-achieving students from across the United States
is invited to join the cohort through a competitive application process.

McKnight Scholars receive a leadership and scholarship package valued at $85,000.
The program includes an out-of-state tuition waiver, a $5,000 cash scholarship per
year for four years and a short-term study abroad program. In addition, scholars gain
exclusive access to leadership courses, individual mentoring from upper-level McKnight
Scholars, and membership in a vibrant network of current scholars and alumni.

“This year’s class of McKnight Scholars represents an incredible group of young leaders,”
said Dr. Josh Taylor, director of the Hargis Leadership Institute. “We are excited
to welcome them to OSU and look forward to the impact they will make as students and
future professionals.”

The following students have been named to Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership
Program: