Oklahoma has become directionless under head coach Brent Venables.
Following an ugly 35-9 home loss to South Carolina in Week 8, the low point of Venables’ three-year tenure, the Sooners are going back to quarterback Jackson Arnold.
The starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, Arnold was benched in the second quarter against No. 7 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 in SEC) in Week 4 for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who started the past three games for Oklahoma.
He had a disastrous outing against the Gamecocks, going 3-for-5 for 18 yards and three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) before being pulled for Arnold.
The quarterback seesaw illustrates how aimless the Sooners have become under Venables’ command.
It’s hard to see what the plan in Norman is other than throwing stuff at a wall and seeing what sticks.
On Sunday, Venables fired first-year co-offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, who joined Oklahoma as an offensive assistant last year after seven seasons as North Texas head coach (2016-22).
Returning to Arnold is another sign that Venables doesn’t have the answers to the Sooners’ problems.
Oklahoma’s offense has been a major issue, ranking 15th in the SEC in scoring (22.1 points per game) and last in total offense (288.1 yards per game). Playing hot potato at quarterback isn’t improving things.
With four games remaining against ranked opponents, including in Week 9 against No. 18 Ole Miss (5-2, 1-2 in SEC), the Sooners have an uphill climb to finish the season bowl-eligible.
So, describing Oklahoma (4-3, 1-3 in SEC) as directionless under Venables might have been unfair.
Without any stability at quarterback, it’s likely downhill from here.
