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USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
College football analyst thinks Oklahoma Sooners will be much improved in 2025
With SEC Media Days wrapping up on Thursday, the countdown to the 2025 college football season is officially on. In a few short weeks, the waiting will be over, and it'll finally be football time in Oklahoma again. Josh Pate, who covers college football for CBS Sports and is the host of "Josh Pate's College Football Show," was on hand in Atlanta this week to cover SEC media days and had plenty of thoughts about the Oklahoma Sooners heading into the season. Pate believes OU will be a vastly improved team this year, though he did admit that he seems to be a bit higher on Oklahoma than most other people in attendance were. The college football analyst believes that the Sooners will be a significantly improved team in 2025, despite facing one of the toughest schedules in the nation. "So like if you think Oklahoma's going to be subpar this year, they'll get swallowed by that schedule," Pate said. "If you think they're going to be good, and I happen to think they'll be a top 10 caliber team this year just in terms of quality, then they'll find a way through that. Not find a way through it unscathed, but they'll find a way through it." It's no secret that the Sooners had a multitude of flaws last year, most of them on offense. However, those flaws are issues that Pate believes can be addressed and aren't fatal to the program's future success. "So my theory on them is they were not a terminally flawed team last year," Pate said. "My theory on them is that offensive line combined with Seth Littrell and, just not being the guy for Jackson Arnold or Jackson Arnold not being the guy for that system, that was the terminal flaw. I don't think lack of talent, lack of (recruiting) classes stacked on top of each other, has been the terminal flaw. Defense is not the terminal flaw for them. So organizationally, that's always been a rock-solid place. Obviously, the pairing of starting quarterback and offensive coordinator(s) last year was not a good thing for the Sooners. QB Jackson Arnold and the OC trio of Seth Littrell, Joe Jon Finley, and Kevin Johns didn't get the job done, as Oklahoma struggled to move the ball and score points. OU hopes they've remedied that problem with the pairing of QB John Mateer and OC Ben Arbuckle, which Pate thinks can make for more success in 2025. "I think they've got plenty good enough players this year," Pate said. "I think offensive line play will be significantly improved. But I also think that quarterback play, play-calling synergy offensively, complimentary style of play, all that'll be there the way it should be for them, and if it is, you know, 9-3, they're one of the teams where 9-3, I would feel comfortable saying that will be good enough to get them into the Playoff." As the Sooners exit media days and get ready for fall camp, we're about to find out if everyone who thinks OU will be better is right this year. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
College Football expert believes the time is now for the Oklahoma Sooners
It's no secret. The 2025 season is a massive one for the Oklahoma Sooners. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw OU go 6-7 for the second time in three years, the 2025 season is all about evaluating how the systems in place are working and if they, or the personnel in charge of them, need to be changed. For those reasons, and more, it's easy to say that the Sooners are on the clock in 2025. That's exactly what Josh Pate, who hosts "Josh Pate's College Football Show" had to say last week. He took the time to outline a few major programs that are facing a big year, and illustrated why he thinks they are on the clock. Oklahoma was one of those programs, with Pate detailing the urgency of the situation in Norman. "Brent Venables and Oklahoma have to win this year, or they could be looking for a new head coach," Pate said. "And I think that's fair. I think it's very fair. I don't know how you say otherwise. I mean, he's had three years now. This will be his fourth year. There's no sanctions there. There have been some questionable hires and then to their credit they hit the dump button and now at offensive coordinator you go and you get Ben Arbuckle and his quarterback (John Mateer) from Washington State and that's who you've hitched your wagon to. You don't get to screw up multiple coordinator hires at this level. You just don't get to do it. The stakes are too high. The pay is too high. All of that's fair." Pate went into specifics about where the Sooners need to improve, saying he believed Venables would have the defense right again in 2025, but the other side of the ball has to be way better. "Offensive line's got to be way better," Pate said. "Quarterback position's got to be way better, offensive coordinator. The offensive product has got to be way better. They got a tough schedule to face. I don't think anyone is saying College Football Playoff or bust, but they better be noticeably improved this year. I think they will be, but they better be. They're on the clock for that." The offensive coordinator and quarterback duo of Seth Littrell and Jackson Arnold wasn't the answer for Oklahoma last year, but the folks in charge believe in the men they chose as replacements. Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer put up big numbers at Washington State together last year, and their familiarity with each other will benefit the Sooners. Pate is correct in saying that it's fair for Venables to be coaching for his job in 2025. OU's recruiting has improved since the Lincoln Riley days, but their win-loss record has not. Venables' Sooners have backed themselves into a corner in 2025. They'd better show marked improvement this year. Otherwise, there will be some difficult discussions ahead. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Believes Auburn and Hugh Freeze are on the Clock in 2025
Analyst Believes Auburn and Hugh Freeze are on the Clock in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's no secret that the Auburn Tigers and head coach Hugh Freeze need a good season. Heading into his third season on the Plains, Freeze is still looking for a winning season, and the pressure is building. His recruiting success has likely contributed to the program's decision for him to return for another season. Advertisement The media have him very high as a coach who is likely to be fired during the 2025 season. College Football analyst Josh Pate believes the Tigers are on the clock to have a much better season than six wins, mainly for Freeze, who must know himself that time is ticking away if he does not find something this season. Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Starling/Auburn Daily Speaking on his show, 'Josh Pate's College Football Show.' He believes that the fanbase has been patient with Freeze due to him not inheriting a strong roster, unlike other head coaches such as Kalen DeBoer at the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, that is wearing thin as we head into 2025. "There was a lot of understanding, even in year two, and still some understanding. This is year three, and you've got to win, you've got to win. They want 6-7 first year. 5-7 in the second year, and they just have to win. Over/under is 7.5, and they have to go over that. If they don't, what are you selling?" Advertisement Pate continued, saying that Freeze has been telling recruits to be a part of making the program great again, selling winning. However, three years of seven wins or fewer won't be enough. The signs of recruits may not be seeing the vision could be on show, as Auburn has seen a bad recruiting month, losing out to other programs on decision days, and seeing several 2026 recruits flip their commitments. It's a big year for Freeze, and it's more than just recruiting success. Related: Auburn Target 'Really Close' to Making a Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Pate Sends Strong Message on Quinn Ewers' NFL Draft Decision
Instead of returning to the Texas Longhorns for another season, Quinn Ewers turned a massive amount of NIL and declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. 247Sports' Chip Brown reported that Ewers could have made $8 million in NIL money to stay for another season. On a recent episode of "Josh Pate's College Football Show," Josh Pate had a message for those giving Ewers grief for leaving early. Advertisement Pate believed legacy mattered more than anything to Ewers, despite how much money the Texas star could have made. He pointed to the change in the standard of staying at one school throughout college, whereas players can now transfer and attend multiple schools. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3). Brett Davis-Imagn Images "Might I use the L word here? Pate asked. "No one knows where I'm going. Legacy. Legacy matters. You've always taken it for granted because, up until about ten minutes ago, guys have played and finished their career at one school. But that's becoming less and less of a norm, especially at his position." Pate further explained the importance of having the title of former Texas quarterback tied to Ewers' name over time. Advertisement "Do you know over the next 30 years, how much it's worth to Quinn Ewers on the speaking circuit, at public events and functions, to be able to market himself as a legacy former Texas quarterback and nothing else? Pate said. "Just Texas quarterback. Because maybe not one year, but over the next several years, that's worth a heck of a lot more than $4 million dollars." Ewers initially started his college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021. He was the top overall prospect and quarterback in the 2021 class via the On3 Industry Rankings. After not receiving adequate playing time, he transferred to Texas, where he spent three seasons. Ewers accounted for 9,128 passing yards, 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions from 2022-24. The Miami Dolphins eventually took Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Related: Former Texas WR Johntay Cook Predicted to Land With Unexpected ACC Program
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Pate believes the Sooners are loaded heading into 2025
The Oklahoma Sooners have made plenty of changes this offseason, hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2024. In Year 4 under head coach Brent Venables' leadership and Year 2 in the Southeastern Conference, OU simply cannot afford another 6-7 season like the one they had last year. Otherwise, even more drastic changes will be coming to the program. But as for 2025, many national pundits are starting to believe in Venables's moves this winter and spring. That includes Josh Pate, who hosts "Josh Pate's College Football Show" and is a college football analyst for CBS Sports. He believes the Sooners have loaded up this offseason. Advertisement "Oklahoma's made some really, really good moves here," Pate said. "Quarterback was a major concern for them and they went and got (John) Mateer out of Washington State, with his offensive coordinator (Ben Arbuckle) for good measure. Check." The Sooners have made definite upgrades at both quarterback and offensive coordinator, two issues that derailed them a season ago. Jackson Arnold led Oklahoma is passing last year with the lowest yardage total since Jake Sills' 1998 mark in the final season of the John Blake era. Arnold struggled mightily, that's for sure, but he and the rest of the offense were hampered by having Seth Littrell at the controls. He was fired after just seven games. The duo of Joe Jon Finley and Kevin Johns finished out the season but didn't fare much better. Mateer and Arbuckle provide familiarity with each other and proof of concept, two things Arnold and Littrell did not have. Advantage, 2025 Sooners. But while those two moves are massive, they aren't the only changes that have Pate excited about what OU can be this year. "They got maybe the best tailback in the country that was available from Cal," Pate said. Advertisement That would, of course, be Jaydn Ott, the biggest addition for the Sooners in the spring portal window. He was banged up in 2024, but his 2023 campaign has Oklahoma fans imagining what he can do in the backfield alongside Mateer. The Sooners have had to go running back by committee since Eric Gray moved on to the NFL, and have the pieces to do so again this year. But Ott provides a player that is capable of being a game-changer when he's healthy. Speaking of game-changers, Pate is excited about a player that OU is getting back from injury this season as well. "You remember this time last year, we were talking about Deion Burks out of Purdue," Pate said. "He got hurt last year and so he wasn't the impact player we thought he'd be. But he still has that potential. And so he's there, they added a starting OT like we talked about, added two other defensive starters." Burks' decision to come back for one more year of football, and to do it in Norman, was a big boost for Venables and his staff. If he's healthy, he can be the No. 1 target that Mateer and Arbuckle will need him to be. Pate also recognized the job Venables has done in high school recruiting and in the transfer portal since taking over in December of 2021, which means that the talent is there in a lot of places on the roster for Oklahoma. Advertisement "This is a program that has stacked top 10 recruiting classes and portal classes on top of each other," Pate said. "They've got an incredibly difficult schedule this year. But they could also be a College Football Playoff team this year." Are there holes on the depth chart for the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners? Sure, there are. But last December, Venables and the coaching staff headed into an offseason when changes absolutely had to happen after a dismal showing in 2024. While the roster isn't perfect, so many of the problem areas have been addressed and improved in the last five months. But only time will tell whether Venables' moves will pay off this fall. This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Josh Pate lauds OU's offseason moves
