Regarding OU's schedule:
8/30 5pm - Illinois State - Another season where OU courageously schedules an FCS school. Is anyone else a better midget-puncher than the fucking okies? They're going to look like a top 5 team as they win 84-7.
9/6 6:30pm - Michigan - My small write-up from a few weeks ago on Michigan for 2025 is spoilered below. I posted it on this thread when someone asked about them on page 1, but here it is again below. Bottom line is that this could be a defensive dogfight. Both defenses should be pretty good and ahead of both offenses, probably by a lot. Gaylord is a tough place to play, but Michigan is arguably more talented and experienced. This is a "show me" game for Venables, along with the RRS. If he wins this one, OU's pushing against their ceiling and might be looking at 9-3, even.
9/13 11am - @ Temple - Yep, OU is going to Philly. I honestly don't think that's a bad H/H/A deal, provided you like Philly. I personally dislike Philadelphia more than any other major city I've ever visited, anywhere on the planet. Angry, shitty people. Dirty overall landscape. Usually, the weather fucking sucks. But, hey, the history is awesome. I'm talking more about the city than Temple because there isn't much to discuss with regard to Temple. They return their atrocious QB and a 4 time transfer to challenge him, 3 OLs, the SHSU RB that followed new HC Keeler, and 2 CBs. That's all the starters. Temple opens against UMass, also with a new HC, and Howard. They'll be 2-0 coming into this game and the hype leading into will be through the roof. A mole rat's roof.
9/20 2:30 or nighttime - Auburn - A lot of people are sleeping on Auburn for 2025. Maybe that's justified, I don't know. Freeze has been a disappointment. Arnold has been a disappointment. But, Freeze has recruited really well. Auburn has, potentially, an amazing WR corps. They return 3 OLs, a likely 1st round pick at Edge and the entire secondary except Jerrin Thompson. DJ Durkin has yet to kill anyone there, also. This one should be physical.
9/27 - OFF
10/4 3pm - Kent State - Another brave scheduling match-up in the non-con on the part of OU. I assume Kent State will be the worst FBS team yet again, even with Delaware and Missouri State joining the ranks.
10/11 2:30 - Texas - Rubber meets the road for Venables with this game. I predict pain.
10/18 11am - @ South Carolina - SCar has two of the best players at their position in the country in Sellers (QB) and Stewart (Edge). They have to replace a metric ton around both of them. SCar is going to be overranked heading into this season and, by that, I mean they'll be ranked. Still, I'm sure they'll be a tough team and they certainly have no fear for OU after last season.
10/25 11am - Ole Miss - Yet another team that is likely to start the season ranked and will not finish the season as so. Kiffin has to replace almost every starter this season. I think Ole Miss is headed for an FSU 2024 type of year unless they really hit on all transfers.
11/1 2:30 or nighttime - @ Tennessee - Crazily, Tennessee will also likely open the season ranked. They lost most of their starters on offense and they're going to battle in the SEC with the former App State QB as their starter. Woof. They return most of their defense, but they lost 2 of the front four and Pearce. The front seven was the key to their team last season.
11/8 - OFF
11/15 2:30 or nighttime - @ Alabama - Bama returns numerous high quality starters, including Ryan Williams, Miller, and Proctor on offense. They also return Keenan JR, Lawson and most of the secondary on defense. Bama hosts LSU the week before and that might be a giant help to OU, coming off of a bye. The talent disparity in this game is gigantic.
11/22 11am - Missouri - Mizzou was a paper tiger in 2024 and everyone knew it. Once they were exposed later in the year, the bloom was off the rose for 2025 expectations. They lost key talent all over the field. I expect them to struggle to get to a winning record.
11/29 2:30 or nighttime - LSU - I did a write-up on LSU on a recruiting thread discussion and I've spoilered that below. The bottom line is that LSU is going to be good this year, but they're also not a top 10 team. Nussmeier gets a ton of credit for being a guy that can really hit a 10 yard out or dig decently.
Outlook: I've continued to think that this team is better than they're getting credit for, and after thinking through the schedule, especially when removing brand vaneer for some of these teams, I'm still thinking that OU is a 8/5-9/4 team in 2025. That's probably good enough to keep Venables on as HC, and to keep us happy.