CFB analyst JD PicKell said exactly what needed to be said regarding the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense going into 2026.
The Oklahoma Sooners are entering the 2026 season with a reputation, one that’s both good and bad. On the bad side, they were one of the worst offenses in all of college football last season. So, many expect them to be similar in 2026.
On the upside, everyone knows they will be good on defense. They were the best defense in football last season. So, everyone is expecting a season of dominating defense in 2026. In fact, one of the most respected college football analysts in the business, JD PicKell, ranked the defenses heading into 2026. He put Oklahoma at No. 2, right behind the Oregon Ducks. And, he said what needed to be said.
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“They feel like internally they may have their best 11 on defense they’ve had since Brent Venables got to Norman,” PicKell said. “That is saying something with as wacky as that group was last year. On top of all of this, look who is in charge. Brent Venables calling the defense is not a small thing to talk about here.”
Oklahoma Sooners could be worse than a top-two defense, but still be very good
This defense is not like last season’s. They will still be very good. Brent Venables does not have bad defenses, at least not this long into his tenure. He’s one of the greatest defensive minds college football has ever seen. But this defense will be different for one specific reason.
As things stand, this team will not have the depth of last season’s. At least, we’re not expecting it to. That doesn’t mean that a ton of rotational guys can’t step up big time. These are just expectations. But their best 11 may be better this year than last year’s best 11.
If I were a betting man, I’d bet that Oklahoma still finished with a top-ten defense in the country, and one of the better units in the SEC. I’m also willing to bet this defense is better in a different way because they will have to do less. The offense will put them in less bad situations. Last season, those happened every single game. That won’t be as prevalent in 2026. This will still be an elite defense.
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