Spring football has wrapped up across the college football landscape, and with it comes an early glimpse into the outlook for some of the sport’s most high-profile programs. Among those receiving glowing early reviews are the Oklahoma Sooners, a team looking to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024 campaign. According to national college football analyst Josh Pate, the early signs from Norman are overwhelmingly positive.
Speaking on his show, Josh Pate’s College Football Show, the 247Sports and CBS Sports analyst offered a surprisingly optimistic spring assessment of Brent Venables’ squad.
“Let’s go to Oklahoma,” Pate began. “And you know what, coming out of spring, it’s hard to pinpoint glaring weaknesses with this team.”
That may come as a surprise to many. After all, the 2024 season was disappointing by Oklahoma’s lofty standards. A combination of inconsistent on-field performance, a slew of injuries, and significant roster turnover left the Sooners scrambling for answers. But with spring practices in the rearview mirror and a wave of offseason adjustments now implemented, Pate believes the team is entering a much more stable and cohesive phase.
“It’s really weird,” Pate added. “When you come off a season like they had last year, you would think there’s weakness everywhere. But there’s really not.”
This newfound optimism stems largely from Oklahoma’s aggressive response to their 2024 struggles. The program made a series of strategic moves in the offseason—adjusting personnel, retooling the coaching staff, and embracing change rather than avoiding it. The result, according to Pate, is a team that appears far more stable than national perception might suggest.
One area that has seen marked improvement is the offensive line, a major concern last season. The unit underwent considerable instability in 2024, starting nine different combinations in the first nine games. That lack of cohesion contributed to many of the Sooners’ offensive woes. But this spring, the offensive front looked far more solid and unified—a development that should bode well for Oklahoma’s success moving forward.
“Now, there are some small question marks,” Pate acknowledged. “But that offensive line figures to be much more settled this year. And that’s huge.”
While every team carries some uncertainties heading into the fall, Pate’s tone suggests the Sooners are in far better shape than many might assume. The combination of internal restructuring and developmental growth has left the program with a sense of quiet confidence as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Ultimately, the message from Pate is clear: don’t let last year’s struggles fool you. Oklahoma has addressed its issues head-on, and the results are starting to show. As the college football world turns its attention to the upcoming season, the Sooners may be a program ready to surprise—and ready to contend.
