ESPN identifies best, worst case scenarios for Oklahoma in 2023

Oklahoma enters a monumental year two of the Brent Venables era, where the Texas game could ultimately decide whether the Sooners enjoy a satisfactory season.

According to ESPN’s Dave Wilson, a lot hinges on that one matchup for Oklahoma this season. With an easier schedule and the expectation that the Sooners jump back into 7+ win territory, the difference between a mediocre season and an encouraging one could be that win over Texas.

Over on the ESPN website, Wilson broke down the best and worst case scenarios for Oklahoma on the football field this year. While there are many factors to take into account, he went in-depth on why the Red River showdown is the key to the year for OU.

Take a look:

Best-Case

Wilson has big plans for OU in their Big 12 send-off, writing them the following best-case storyline:

“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.”

That would certainly do the trick in securing Brent Venables’ job. And, assuming they do as stated above, that would likely mean revenge on the Longhorns for the thumping they gave Oklahoma a year ago. Wilson says they’ll probably need that win to have any chance at another CFP appearance: “A win over Texas might be necessary to impress the playoff committee.”

So, the playoff is the ultimate goal for the Sooners and an attainable one, according to Dave Wilson. But they have to come out on top in the Red River Showdown to make that a reality.

Worst-Case

As for the worst possible situation, well, let’s circle back to that titular matchup against Texas. If the Sooners can’t muster a much better performance agains the ‘Horns this time around, then Coach Venables could find his seat boiling before he even gets through with year two.

“After last year’s 49-0 debacle, another humbling loss to Texas would set off alarm bells early in Venables’ career,” says Wilson, who isn’t sure the new OU coach could survive another throttling from Texas.

However, the rest of the schedule lines up pretty well and Oklahoma should have no trouble at least getting back to a bowl game. “Another losing season would be a complete stunner with this schedule,” writes Wilson, who notes that games against newcomers Cincinnati, UCF and BYU should be wins, while contests against West Virginia and Kansas plus three lower-league non-conference foes make for 7-8 wins easy if Oklahoma is up to snuff.

But even if OU does clean up against the lesser competition, they can’t lay goose eggs in bigger matchups (cough, cough: Texas). “If the Soooners aren’t competitive in key games, the pressure could start to mount,” says Hale.

A massive year two — and a massive game against Texas — could very well decide Venables’ fate in Norman.