A few weeks ago, the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 season came to an abrupt end with a defeat to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. But with our way too early 2024 SEC Power Rankings, we are already anticipating their SEC debut season. In addition, the 12-team playoff is in its inaugural season.
After several starters and important players declared their returns for 2024, the Sooners entered the following season with one of the most seasoned defenses in all of college football. However, they will need to replace almost their whole offensive line in addition to one of the most productive passers in college football history.
Yes, we believe Jackson Arnold will surpass Dillon Gabriel in the coming season and are eager for his arrival, but that has to be seen.
Due to the turnover caused by 247Sports’ too-optimistic bowl predictions, the Sooners were matched up against the Miami Hurricanes in the Mayo Bowl.
Next season’s Mayo Bowl will feature an ACC against SEC clash. Many OU supporters certainly cringe when they hear that name, but I have predicted that your first season in the SEC will be a success if you finish 8-4 or 9-3.
Even though it’s Oklahoma, they ought to be more capable than that. They still need to assemble a roster because of the players Lincoln Riley left behind or was unable to sign in the first place. However, they will be in the future. Not that this staff hasn’t made mistakes of its own; after all, the offensive line hasn’t produced many stars in its recruiting class, and it hasn’t developed all that well either.
However, the two teams that participated in the Mayo Bowl last year went 8-4, so 8-4, 9-3 is a success. The fact that Oklahoma is not one of the four SEC schools that 247Sports has selected to participate in the playoffs, however, may infuriate Oklahoman supporters. Neither is the Alabama Crimson Tide, for what it’s worth.
In the end, this is a preliminary estimate that makes for interesting conversation throughout the offseason. Oklahoma can most certainly qualify for the College Football Playoffs the following season, but a significant improvement and some unanswered problems will need to be addressed.
