J.D. PicKell believes 'It's going to be a movie in Norman' in 2026

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The Oklahoma Sooners authored one of college football's biggest turnaround stories last season. The Sooners finished 10-3 and returned to the College Football Playoff after a disappointing 2024 season.

They showed the college football world that they are built to succeed in the SEC. Inside the program, however, last season is viewed as only the beginning. Oklahoma wants more. Making the College Football Playoff is no longer the goal at Oklahoma; the standard is competing for national championships. Those are the expectations that have defined this program for more than a century.

On3's J.D. PicKell talked about the Sooners' chances this upcoming season on "The Hard Count." PicKell believes Oklahoma has championship potential if its defense remains elite and the offense takes a significant step forward.

"If this comes true that they have the best defense in college football and the offense holds up their end of the deal, it's going to be a movie in Norman, man," PicKell said.

That's not a lot to ask for the Sooners. Oklahoma already had one of the best defenses in the country last year. The offense is what needs to take another step. At times, the offense showed real potential. But at other times, it looked like they were inept.

Ultimately, Oklahoma already proved it can compete in the SEC by returning to the College Football Playoff last season. The next challenge is proving it can finish the job. If Brent Venables' defense remains among the nation's best and the offense takes the expected step forward under quarterback John Mateer, the Sooners could enter the national championship conversation and give Norman its best title opportunity in years.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: J.D. PicKell believes 'It's going to be a movie in Norman' in 2026

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