Mike Norvell says Oklahoma is 'growing' under Brent Venables

No. 13 Florida State takes on Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl and despite the first-year struggles under Brent Venables for the Sooners, Seminoles coach Mike Norvell refused to overlook the opponent. Oklahoma went 6-6 in the regular season, but Norvell said Sooners are growing under the defensive guru.

“I mean you see a defense, they do a lot,” Norvell said. “You can see they’re growing in what they’re trying to do. They have talented talented group, you know, learning a new language learning new system, new expectations, but, you know, he’s a really good defensive minded coach and I’m sure that’s something that this bowl practice has given them an opportunity to continue to grow in understanding of what all they’re doing so you know, we got a lot we got a lot to plan for.”

Norvell essentially doubled down his praise for Venables after talking about the head coach earlier this month when the bowl games were announced.

“Coach Venables, he was at Oklahoma when I was at Tulsa,” Norvell said. “You kind of just watch his career and all the things he’s accomplished. He’s a great coach. Very passionate. Does a great job with the schematic part and putting his guys in a position to achieve success. All of the great teams and defenses he led there at Clemson. I had to go against him there a year ago.”

Amid transfers and injuries, the first year under Venables did not quite go as expected. Oklahoma actually received some College Football Playoff buzz in the preseason, according to some, due to the team’s recent dominance in the Big 12.

After a 3-0 start, Oklahoma was ranked No. 6 in the country after its preseason ranking of No. 9. But three straight losses to Kansas State, TCU and Texas knocked the Sooners from the ranks of the unbeaten.

It looked like things were turned around with back-to-back wins over previously ranked No. 19 Kansas and Iowa State but losses to Baylor and West Virginia dropped the Sooners to 5-5.

Oklahoma managed to knock off in-state rival Oklahoma State 28-13 but lost to Texas Tech in overtime.

After a rollercoaster season, Venables certainly had to prepare his team for a pass rushing challenge against the Seminoles.

“Then again, the young offensive linemen along with Tyler Guyton, we’ll have a good group of guys there at tackle that will be able to step in and do a great job,” Venables said. “They’re just looking for opportunity. They’ll have almost a spring ball’s worth of practice, give or take 17 practices, to be able to refine their skills and get ready for this game.

“They’re gonna have a great, great challenge. They’re gonna get baptized quickly. Jared Verse is one of the premier defensive end pass rushers in all of college football. They’re gonna have length, speed and experience everywhere on both sides of the ball.”