In a season that promised so much, Oklahoma football’s offense has faced a harsh reality: inconsistency. The Sooners entered the 2024 campaign with high expectations, hoping to challenge for a Big 12 title and make a return to the College Football Playoff. However, with 203rd in the nation in total yards per game and a series of disappointing offensive performances, the team has been unable to meet its potential.
Despite having individual talent, including key players in the backfield and on the receiving end, Oklahoma’s offensive struggles have been pervasive and deeply concerning. There have been flashes of brilliance, but they have been too infrequent, and as the season unfolds, these struggles could have significant ramifications for the team’s goals moving forward.
A Slow Start: The Offense’s Early Struggles
The 2024 season began with optimism for Oklahoma’s offense. Coming off a year of rebuilding under head coach Brent Venables, many expected that the squad would show significant improvement. With the return of Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback and several experienced playmakers, Oklahoma’s offensive line, and skilled position groups seemed poised for success.
However, it didn’t take long for the flaws to become apparent. The first few games were marked by offensive struggles that left fans scratching their heads. Against Kentucky in their opening matchup, the Sooners looked sluggish and disorganized, failing to execute basic offensive plays. They finished the game with just 276 total yards, well below their normal output. There were missed opportunities and turnovers that allowed the Wildcats to control the game.
That performance was a harbinger of things to come.
Quarterback Play: A Roller Coaster
Dillon Gabriel, the senior quarterback who had shown flashes of brilliance in previous seasons, was expected to be the stabilizing force in 2024. Yet, his play throughout the season has been inconsistent at best. In Oklahoma’s early games, Gabriel was hesitant in the pocket, often missing open receivers and taking unnecessary sacks. His lack of pocket presence at times made it harder for the offense to get into rhythm, and the Sooners were often forced to play from behind.
Against Texas in a crucial rivalry game, Gabriel was sacked multiple times, and his accuracy was off. He completed only 15 of 28 passes for 178 yards, a performance far from the level expected of a veteran signal-caller. His struggles with accuracy have been apparent all season, as he ranks in the bottom half of the conference in passing efficiency. More concerning, however, was his inability to move the ball downfield, which put additional pressure on the running game.
Gabriel’s inconsistency was magnified when backup quarterback Zach Calzada was forced into action during a midseason game against Baylor. Calzada did little to prove that he was a viable solution, and the Sooners struggled to find any offensive flow, resulting in a narrow 17-14 win against a lesser opponent. This raised questions about whether Gabriel could be relied upon to lead Oklahoma’s offense effectively through the rest of the season.
The Offensive Line Woes
No matter how talented the quarterbacks and skill players are, an offense cannot succeed without a strong offensive line. In 2024, that’s where Oklahoma has faced one of its most significant challenges. Despite having a collection of experienced offensive linemen, including several players with starting experience, the unit has been one of the most inconsistent in the country.
Oklahoma’s offensive line has been plagued by poor protection for the quarterbacks and an inability to open up running lanes. The team ranks in the bottom 20 of the nation in sacks allowed per game and has given up more than 30 sacks in just seven games. The inability of the offensive line to provide Gabriel with the time to throw downfield has been a major source of frustration. When he is hurried or pressured, his decision-making deteriorates, and the Sooners’ offense goes stagnant.
Additionally, the running game, which has historically been one of the hallmarks of Oklahoma football, has also faltered. In the 2024 season, the Sooners’ rushing attack has been average at best. With Eric Gray and Javontae Barnes in the backfield, there was hope that the team could establish a solid ground game to complement the passing attack. But inconsistent blocking has stymied their efforts, and Oklahoma ranks a concerning 127th in rushing yards per game.
The lack of push from the offensive line has left the Sooners reliant on passing, but when the offensive line doesn’t give the quarterback time, it sets up a recipe for disaster. The offensive line’s inability to protect has been a major point of frustration for head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who have struggled to find a consistent offensive identity in 2024.
The Running Game: Missed Opportunities
Despite the struggles in the trenches, the running backs for Oklahoma have shown potential. Javontae Barnes, the standout sophomore running back, entered the season with high expectations, but his production has not met those hopes. Through seven games, he has yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark in any game. Part of the issue has been the inconsistency of the offensive line. Without solid blocking, Barnes and his counterparts haven’t had the opportunity to get into a rhythm and wear down defenses.
Oklahoma’s reliance on a pass-first approach has also impacted the running game. As defenses key in on the Sooners’ passing game, there has been less opportunity for play-action, which historically has been an essential part of their offense. In the Red River Rivalry against Texas, the Sooners were limited to just 79 rushing yards on 28 carries, and the lack of a balanced offense ultimately led to a 24-20 loss. The inability to control the ground game has left the Sooners in obvious passing situations, and their offensive playbook has been predictable.
Oklahoma’s offensive struggles in the running game have become particularly alarming as they face stronger defensive units in their Big 12 slate. Teams like Kansas State and Texas Tech have been able to take away Oklahoma’s ground attack and force them into third-and-long situations, where Gabriel’s inconsistencies have been exposed.
Receivers: Talented but Unproductive
Another area of frustration for the Sooners has been the lack of production from their receiving corps. Despite having Marvin Mims, one of the most talented wide receivers in the nation, the Sooners’ passing attack has struggled to consistently find open receivers. Mims has had some big plays throughout the season, but those have been few and far between.
Other wide receivers have been less effective, and tight ends have been largely absent from the offensive game plan. Oklahoma’s reliance on one or two big-play receivers means that defenses are able to key in on Mims and limit his impact. The inability to spread the ball around and utilize all the weapons in the passing game has been a major hindrance for the Sooners’ offense.
In fact, Oklahoma’s wide receivers rank in the bottom third of the nation in receiving yards per game, and the team has struggled to make plays in the middle of the field. A lack of route diversity has limited the Sooners’ ability to stretch defenses vertically, making them increasingly predictable.
Coaching: In Search of Identity
While the players have undoubtedly faced challenges, coaching decisions have played a role in the team’s offensive woes. Jeff Lebby, in his first year as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, has yet to find a rhythm. The offense has often looked disjointed, and Lebby has been criticized for failing to adjust to defenses that have figured out how to stop his system.
Additionally, Brent Venables’s defensive background has likely influenced the way he runs the program, which could be affecting offensive strategy. Venables has expressed frustration with the offense’s inability to execute, and it’s clear that his focus on defensive improvements has overshadowed the offensive struggles. There have been signs that Oklahoma is looking for answers, but as the season progresses, it remains uncertain if they will be able to find a cohesive solution.
