ESPN reveals biggest 'ifs' for Oklahoma Sooners entering 2026 season

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Oklahoma Sooners enter the 2026 season believing they have the talent to compete for the program's eighth national championship. Oklahoma is still searching for its first national championship since the 2000 season.

The Sooners have had several opportunities to end that championship drought over the past two decades. Oklahoma reached the BCS National Championship Game three times: in 2003, 2004 and 2008, but came up short each time. The Sooners have also made the College Football Playoff five times but are still seeking their first CFP win.

ESPN's Bill Connelly identified the biggest "ifs" facing several national championship contenders entering the season.

It starts with John Mateer

If John Mateer's floor gets a little higher. Mateer is tough, fearless and, according to OU's social media, strong as hell. But he finished 50th in Total QBR last season. Though some of that can be attributed to the numbers he posted while rushing back from a hand injury, he took 21 sacks in his last eight games and threw four picks with a 58% completion rate in his last three. A little consistency and finesse would go a long way. – Connelly, ESPN

Mateer has already shown he can be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football. Now, the challenge is sustaining that level over an entire season. If the veteran can eliminate some of the inconsistency that surfaced late last year, Oklahoma may finally have the quarterback play needed to end its national championship drought.

Oklahoma's Rushing Attack Must Improve

If the Oklahoma Sooners hope to compete for a national championship in 2026, improving the running game will be a top priority. The Sooners ranked No. 113 nationally in rushing offense last season, averaging just 118.5 yards per game. Among College Football Playoff teams, only one averaged fewer rushing yards per game than Oklahoma.

The Sooners ranked 124th in yards per carry (no sacks) last season, and leading running back Tory Blaylock averaged just 4.0 per carry," Connelly wrote. "Blaylock, Xavier Robinson and five linemen with at least six starts last season return, and coach Brent Venables added another pair of FBS starters up front. The run game should improve, but it needs to improve a lot. – Connelly, ESPN

True freshman Tory Blaylock led the Sooners with 480 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Quarterback John Mateer added 431 yards and eight touchdowns, while Xavier Robinson contributed 421 yards and four scores. Oklahoma returns all three this upcoming season, while adding Colorado State Rams transfer Lloyd Avant, as well as freshmen Jonathan Hatton Jr. and DeZephen Walker.

Oklahoma already has many of the ingredients needed to compete for a national championship, including an experienced quarterback, a veteran offensive line and one of the nation's top defenses. But as Connelly pointed out, the Sooners won't reach their ceiling unless the running game takes a significant step forward. If Oklahoma can consistently control games on the ground, its championship aspirations become much more realistic.

Livingstone, Harris Must Deliver for Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners' offense showed promise last season, but a lack of consistent playmakers remained one of the team's biggest limitations. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna emerged as Oklahoma's only reliable playmaker throughout the season.

He totaled 965 yards and eight touchdowns, while grabbing 67 passes. Beyond Sategna, Oklahoma struggled to find consistent production from its wide receivers. Deion Burks had an up-and-down season. He finished with 620 yards and four scores. Burks had two games with over 100 yards, one of those was in the College Football Playoff. The problem was he had four games under 20 yards. The next most receiving yards for a wide receiver was Keontez Lewis with just 243 yards.

So, the Sooners attacked that room, adding Virginia Cavaliers transfer Trell Harris and Texas Longhorns transfer Parker Livingstone. Harris totaled 847 yards and five scores last season. Livingstone had 516 yards and six scores last year as well.

While the additions give Oklahoma more proven options, ESPN's Bill Connelly questioned whether the new additions will provide enough of an upgrade.

The return of big-play man Isaiah Sategna III was a boon to OU's playoff hopes, but Mateer's next four targets are all gone, replaced by five transfers, including Trell Harris (Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (Texas). Is that an upgrade? – Connelly, ESPN

Oklahoma made it clear this offseason that improving the wide receiver room was a priority. Sategna gives the Sooners a proven weapon, but the addition of Harris and Livingstone could determine how high this offense can climb.

If those transfers can provide consistent production, Oklahoma may finally have the playmakers needed to complement John Mateer and compete with the best teams in college football.

Sooners Must Identify Defensive Line Depth

Although Oklahoma's defense is expected to remain among the best in the country in 2026, the defensive line enters the season with some significant questions. The Sooners return several impact players up front, including EDGE Taylor Wein and defensive tackles Jayden Jackson and David Stone.

The Sooners are replacing R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones Jr., Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton. EDGEs Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye are expected to take on a bigger role in 2026. They were key role players a season ago. The interior defensive line presents even more uncertainty, with players like Trent Wilson and Nigel Smith expected to step into larger roles.

ESPN's Bill Connelly identified defensive line depth as one of Oklahoma's biggest questions heading into the 2026 season.

Defensive end Taylor Wein and tackle David Stone both return up front for an awesome OU defense, and the linebacking corps and secondary are loaded. But the Sooners still have to replace four of last season's top six linemen. Venables has inked countless blue-chip defenders in recent seasons, and he'll need at least a couple — ends Adepoju Adebawore or Danny Okoye, tackles Jayden Jackson or Trent Wilson, or star freshman Jake Kreul? — to provide much-needed depth. – Connelly, ESPN

Oklahoma's defense has become the identity of the program under Venables. The Sooners return enough star power to remain among the nation's best, but the defensive line depth will be the biggest factor determining their ceiling in 2026.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: ESPN reveals biggest 'ifs' for Oklahoma Sooners entering 2026 season

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos