After OU's first loss of the season to Texas, they responded well against South Carolina the following week. After the second loss to Ole Miss, it'll be harder to replicate that bounce-back success. Tennessee is a very good team, one that is squarely among the contenders in the SEC.

That's why when the Sooners lose, and head coach Brent Venables goes to the podium, the fan base is tired of hearing him say the same things.

Brent Venables' thoughts on Oklahoma's 34-26 loss to No. 8 Ole Miss

To replace Riley, Oklahoma hired longtime Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. After years of high-scoring offenses but struggling defenses under Riley, Sooners fans were convinced that Venables could inject an increased level of physicality and toughness into their program.

At his weekly press conference, Venables had plenty to say about the matchup vs. Ole Miss and the progress of the Sooners' defense.

Ole Miss scored touchdowns on its first five possessions and shredded Georgia's defense last Saturday for three quarters. Kiffin has Division II transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss playing elite football and the Rebels ranked eighth nationally in yards per game.

The Sooners head coach had spent 10 years as Clemson defensive coordinator and faced South Carolina, the Tigers’ top rival, several times at Williams-Brice Stadium. So, he knew he would be seeing a rowdy student section with white towels that would be waving and knew he would be hearing the song “Sandstorm” that would be playing.

Expectations were high for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2025. They returned plenty of talent from 2024, they added a new offensive coordinator in Ben Arbuckle who brought productive quarterback John Mateer with him from Washington State,