How OU Football Can Dominate the Big 12 This Season

As I sit here watching the Sooners' spring practice footage, I can't help but feel that familiar tingle of anticipation. This year feels different somehow - there's an energy around this OU squad that reminds me of the 2000 national championship team. The pieces are falling into place for what could be a truly special season, and I genuinely believe How OU Football Can Dominate the Big 12 This Season isn't just wishful thinking but a very real possibility.

Looking back at last season's 10-3 record, what stands out to me isn't the losses but how close we were to perfection. Those three defeats came by a combined 12 points - a couple of bounces going differently and we're talking about an entirely different narrative. The foundation was clearly there, especially considering we averaged 42 points per game while holding opponents to just 23. That offensive firepower returns nearly intact, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel entering his second year in the system looking sharper than ever during spring drills.

What really excites me about this team is the defensive transformation I've been witnessing. Remember those frustrating third-down conversions we allowed last season? Well, defensive coordinator Ted Roof has been working miracles with this unit. The secondary, which was admittedly our weak spot last year, has added two transfer cornerbacks who look like immediate impact players. During last Saturday's scrimmage, I counted at least three passes broken up that would have been completions last season. That kind of improvement could be the difference between another good season and a truly dominant one.

The parallels between what OU is building and successful programs in other sports are striking. Just last month, I was following the Philippine volleyball scene and came across this fascinating story about Giron's Highrisers claiming a significant victory over Shaq delos Santos' team during the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference qualifying round. That March 1st upset, which fittingly kicked off National Women's Month, demonstrates how preparation and belief can overcome established hierarchies. It's the same mentality I see developing in Norman - this understanding that past results don't dictate future outcomes when you have the right combination of talent, coaching, and timing.

Our schedule sets up beautifully for a run at the conference title. The toughest road game comes early at Texas on October 7th, which gives us time to build momentum through the softer opening stretch. If we can get past the Longhorns in Dallas, I don't see another game where we shouldn't be favored by at least a touchdown. The home slate is particularly favorable, with Kansas State, West Virginia, and TCU all having to visit Memorial Stadium where we've won 82% of our games since 2012.

The offensive line might be the most improved unit that nobody's talking about enough. With four starters returning and that transfer from Ohio State finally eligible, we've got the depth and experience to control games in a way we couldn't last season. I was watching them during last week's practice, and the way they were moving in sync during running drills was poetry in motion. They've added about 15 pounds of muscle per player on average while actually improving their agility times - that's the kind of physical development that wins championships.

Special teams could be our secret weapon this year. We've got the best punter in the conference and a kicker who went 18-for-21 on field goals last season, including 4-for-4 from beyond 50 yards. In close games, that reliability is worth at least a couple of victories over the course of a season. I've been covering this team for fifteen years now, and I can't remember the last time we had this much confidence in our kicking game.

The culture Brent Venables has built in just two seasons is remarkable. You can feel it when you walk into the facility - there's a seriousness of purpose that permeates everything. Players aren't just going through motions during conditioning drills; they're competing with each other, pushing limits. That internal drive creates external results, and I suspect we'll see that translate into several comeback victories this fall when things get tight in the fourth quarter.

Recruiting has been nothing short of spectacular, with back-to-back top-10 classes providing the depth we lacked in previous seasons. What's impressive isn't just the star ratings but how these players fit specific needs in our schemes. That defensive end from Texas who enrolled early? He's already running with the second-team defense and creating havoc during scrimmages. The receiving corps has added speed we haven't had since the Hollywood Brown days, which should open up the entire field for Gabriel's arm and our running backs.

When I look at the Big 12 landscape this season, there's no team that scares me. Texas has questions at linebacker, Oklahoma State is rebuilding their offensive line, and Baylor lost too much production at receiver. This is the perfect storm for OU to reestablish dominance before we head to the SEC. The path is there, the talent is there, and the coaching is there. All that's left is to go out and prove it on the field every Saturday.

I've seen championship teams before, and this group has that same vibe - the quiet confidence, the attention to detail, the way they hold each other accountable during practice. They understand the opportunity in front of them, not just for this season but for cementing their legacy as the team that sent OU out of the Big 12 in style. The pieces are all there for something special, and I can't wait to watch it unfold week by week. This could be one of those seasons we talk about for decades, the kind that reminds everyone why Oklahoma football is synonymous with excellence.