The playoff defeat for Oklahoma is painful, yet Brent Venables has silenced his critics in 2025.
NORMAN, Okla. — As the fourth quarter approached during Oklahoma’s 34-24 defeat to Alabama in the opening round of the College Football Playoff on Friday evening, rapper 50 Cent made a striking entrance from the southeast tunnel of Memorial Stadium.
Clad in a black hoodie that boldly proclaimed "hard to kill"—a phrase that had become the team’s rallying cry over the past month—he performed a brief rendition of his 2003 hit, "Many Men."
To be honest, the performance fell flat. The home crowd was still reeling from witnessing their team lapse into a dismal performance for nearly two quarters. Additionally, 50 Cent's microphone seemed muted, detracting from the experience.
What was intended to be an electrifying moment turned out to be less impactful than planned.
Initially, Oklahoma surged to a promising 17-0 lead in the first half, creating the impression that a blowout was imminent. However, they then surrendered an astonishing 27 consecutive points. Key mistakes, including a muffed punt, several dropped passes, and a back-breaking pick-six, left the fans feeling despondent.
50 Cent’s cameo didn’t spark the turnaround everyone hoped for, but shortly after his performance, a pivotal moment did occur. Just two plays later, quarterback John Mateer connected with receiver Deion Burks for a stunning 38-yard touchdown, pulling the Sooners within three points and rekindling hope among the fans.
Ultimately, Oklahoma faced defeat at home in a game many believe they should have clinched. This Sooners program, which has participated in the College Football Playoff five times yet holds a 0-5 record, will feel the weight of this loss for some time. Nonetheless, as days turn into weeks and then months, disappointed fans should take pride in the remarkable effort displayed by Brent Venables and his squad this season.
The mantra "hard to kill" encapsulated the team's spirit. While this season may have ended in disappointment, the essence of Oklahoma football remains vibrant and alive.
It’s easy to let the immediate heartache of losing a playoff game obscure our perspective on the larger context. In their last two matchups against Alabama, Oklahoma showcased a commanding 6-1 advantage in turnovers—including two critical pick-sixes—and excelled in special teams play. In contrast, this latest game saw them falter in the same areas where they had previously triumphed.
Let’s not lose sight of the broader narrative: Venables entered the season facing intense scrutiny. With a challenging schedule ahead, many believed he needed at least eight wins to secure his position for 2026.
In a twist, Oklahoma not only achieved eight victories but soared to ten and earned their spot in the CFP, demonstrating that last year’s setbacks were largely due to temporary roster issues and unfortunate injuries rather than an inadequate coaching strategy for the SEC. The pain of surrendering a winnable game due to self-inflicted mistakes is still fresh, but once the dust settles, the overall success of the season will become clearer.
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Yes, while Mateer, a high-profile transfer quarterback, faced turnover challenges this season, his second-quarter interception—a result of miscommunication—proved to be a decisive moment in the game. Had he refrained from throwing that interception or opted for a safer play on the previous drive instead of attempting a risky downfield pass that fell incomplete, the outcome could have been significantly different. Unfortunately, those moments cannot be altered now.
However, when comparing the current state of the program to where it stood just a year ago, it's evident that Oklahoma's offseason focus will shift towards honing a capable roster and coaching staff rather than operating under the pressure of a win-or-eliminate mentality that makes everyone anxious.
It's still uncertain whether Mateer will be back with Oklahoma in 2026, as he mentioned he needs time to consider his options post-game. Should he choose to return, can Oklahoma enhance its struggling rushing offense? Will they be able to attract more essential players through the transfer portal with NIL funding? There’s much to appreciate about what he contributes. On the defensive side, Venables has consistently demonstrated, throughout his career, the ability to field a championship-level unit.
Alabama had vulnerabilities, and Oklahoma had them reeling on their home turf but failed to capitalize. That’s frustrating, especially given that the Sooners could have been celebrating a potential Rose Bowl bid.
And yet, there’s no Rose Bowl for Oklahoma this year; Alabama will take that honor.
But looking ahead, it’s easy to envision the Sooners returning to this prestigious stage next season. Predicting their success prior to this season often elicited skepticism and laughter.
"Our best days are ahead of us," Venables stated after the game. "I genuinely believe that. We have a solid foundation returning and a clear vision for what the future should look like."
There’s a poignant truth in the lyrics from 50 Cent’s performance:
"Sunny days wouldn’t feel so special if it weren’t for rain. Joy wouldn’t feel so good if it weren’t for pain."
This encapsulates the essence of program growth.
