How can OU football unlock offensive potential in 2026? 'Physicality' can drive Sooners
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
NORMAN — It’s no secret Oklahoma’s offense needs to be better in 2026.
The word out of training camp over the past month has been that the Sooners’ improved versatility has allowed them to experiment more with different personnel packages — even sprinkling in some under-center plays.
“The biggest challenge is from an aggressiveness standpoint, a physical standpoint,” coach Brent Venables said. “Utilizing the resources, the new players, personnel, different pieces that we have. It's still about belief. It's still about alignment. It's still about physicality, fundamentals.
“An excitement and an edge to go compete. It's a mentality, and all the other stuff doesn't matter if we don't have those things. And that's what makes me most excited: is the chemistry and cohesion with the things I'm talking about.”
OU’s first chance to show off its renewed offensive focus in those areas will come against UTEP at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Balance is a major piece of what Venables points to as the next step in becoming a more explosive offense this season. Running the ball more effectively after ranking 104th nationally in the category a year ago should open up more opportunities for quarterback John Mateer and the passing game.
It helps, Venables alluded, that offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s offense isn’t likely to face a defense much stronger this season than the one it sees daily in practice.
“An advantage that we have internally in our program is what we see every single day,” Venables said, “both scheme, structure, personnel and aggressiveness. That really, can get us battle-tested and prepare us for the challenges of the season that is in front of us right now.”
Arbuckle highlighted coach Jason Witten’s rebuilt tight end position as the main reason the Sooners will have more versatility on offense this season.
“I absolutely think that gives us the ability to go out there and do a few different things,” Arbuckle said. “But just finding the ways to take advantage of the space, the numbers on the field while ultimately getting these guys in a situation on the field to be successful with operational space, that’s what it all comes down to.”
It’s absolutely expected that the Sooners will experiment more on offense this season.
But what Venables has preached all offseason is playing with a more aggressive approach.
“It's not going to be perfect, but what I want to see is the thing that should be unfazed is our mentality,” Venables said. “The test of time will tell.”
Here are a couple more takeaways from Arbuckle's and Venables’ news conferences Monday:
Elijah Thomas ‘more detailed’ entering second season
Elijah Thomas knew exactly what he needed to work on this offseason.
Fresh off a freshman season in which he starred on special teams but only totaled one reception, Thomas attacked the details the last several months. Route running, film work and continuing to adjust to the physicality of major college football were top of mind for the former Checotah star.
“He’s ultimately gaining more confidence just in the knowledge of the game because he’s an incredible athlete,” Arbuckle said. “He truly is. He does a lot of special things with his athletic ability and I’ve seen him just be able to grow more and more confidence in the offense and just the game of football itself.”
That work has paid off, as he was named a co-starter Monday alongside Texas transfer Parker Livingstone.
It took some time for everything to click for Thomas but by all accounts, he’s ready for a larger role.
"He’s been more detailed, more prepared,” Venables said. “He shows up with something to prove every day, certainly recognizing where he fell short last year. I say fell short but he was a true freshman. He exceeded my expectations last year coming from a small town at a smaller school, not being exposed to the same things he would've maybe at a bigger school.
“Have to fine-tune what it means to be a receiver: all the intricacies and the fundamentals.”
Continuity key for Sooners entering 2026 season
Forty-three of the 70 players listed on OU’s depth chart are either in their third, fourth or fifth years with the Sooners, Venables pointed out.
“As we’ve been talking about, there’s a great blend of experience on our football team,” Venables said. “Our first group of guys on both sides of the ball, the kicking game. Really excited to see these guys continue to fight and compete, earn trust and earn opportunity and develop into what we could be.”
That experience is part of why OU believes it can not only contend for the College Football Playoff but build on the success of last season.
Excluding the added 12th “SAM” linebacker to the Sooners’ depth chart, all 11 defensive starters began their collegiate career at OU. Players like Adepoju Adebawore, Michael Boganowski, Reggie Powers III and Taylor Wein waited their turns and developed under Venables over several years.
Powers, who had the opportunity this offseason to transfer if he wanted to, said Monday night that Venables’ unique culture keeps players who otherwise would think about leaving around.
“Guys know that they’re valued, that they’re cared about, they’re developed,” Venables said. “The brotherhood means something to them. It speaks to their competitive character and that they have an opportunity.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Order “BOOM TIMES: The Oklahoma Sooners’ Epic Charge to the 2026 College World Series Title” at Sooners.ChampsBook.com. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How can OU football unlock offensive potential in 2026? 'Physicality' can drive Sooners
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos