The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Oklahoma Football in the 2023 Season
I still remember the tension in that gym last August—the squeak of sneakers on polished wood, the collective gasp when Tikas Kapampangan forced double overtime against their rivals. That game on August 21 at Far Eastern University-Colegio de Sebastian Gym ended 122-118, a scoreline burned into my memory not just for its drama, but for what it taught me about resilience under pressure. Watching those athletes dig deep when fatigue set in, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to what Oklahoma football must embrace this season. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from covering sports for over a decade, it’s that domination isn’t just about talent; it’s about crafting a system that thrives when the stakes are highest. And frankly, I believe the 2023 season offers the Sooners a golden opportunity to do exactly that.
Let’s rewind a bit. Oklahoma’s program has always been synonymous with explosive offenses and big-stage expectations, but recent seasons have felt… inconsistent. They’ve had flashes of brilliance, sure, but also head-scratching lapses, like that frustrating loss to Texas Tech last year where the defense seemed to vanish in the fourth quarter. I’ve always argued that great teams aren’t defined by their best moments, but by how they handle adversity. That’s why that Tikas Kapampangan game sticks with me—they didn’t win because they were flawless; they won because they adapted mid-game, tweaking their defense to force turnovers in overtime. Oklahoma needs that same mindset. With key players like quarterback Dillon Gabriel returning and a recruiting class that’s stacked with four-star recruits, the pieces are there. But pieces alone don’t win championships.
This brings me to my main argument: The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Oklahoma Football in the 2023 Season starts with embracing a culture of relentless preparation. I’ve spoken with a few insiders close to the program, and they’ve hinted at shifts in training intensity—more situational drills, more focus on closing out tight games. Think about it: if Tikas Kapampangan can grind out a 122-118 win in double OT by staying disciplined in crunch time, why can’t the Sooners? Statistically, Oklahoma’s red-zone efficiency last season hovered around 68%, which frankly isn’t good enough for a team eyeing the playoffs. They need to bump that to at least 80% if they want to control games. And let’s not forget the defense—they gave up an average of 28 points per game in 2022. That’s got to change.
I had a chance to chat with former Sooners linebacker and now ESPN analyst, Roy Manning, last month, and he echoed this sentiment. "Oklahoma’s talent has never been the issue," he told me. "It’s about consistency. Look at teams that dominate—they treat every practice like it’s fourth-and-goal. That double-overtime game you mentioned? That’s what separates good teams from great ones." Manning’s point hits home for me because I’ve seen it firsthand. When I covered high school football in the Midwest, the teams that won state titles weren’t always the most gifted; they were the ones who drilled until their plays became second nature. Oklahoma’s coaching staff, led by Brent Venables, seems to be leaning into this. Rumor has it they’ve incorporated more film study on opponents’ tendencies, something I wish they’d done earlier last season.
Offensively, I’m excited about the potential. Gabriel’s accuracy—he completed roughly 63% of his passes last year—combined with a deep wide receiver corps could make this one of the most dynamic attacks in the Big 12. But here’s where I’ll get a bit opinionated: they need to balance the run game better. Relying on 45 pass attempts per game might work against weaker opponents, but against teams like Baylor or Oklahoma State, it’s a gamble. Remember, Tikas Kapampangan balanced their offense in that August game, mixing drives to keep defenders guessing. Oklahoma should take a page from that playbook. Personally, I’d love to see them use more play-action sets to exploit defenses early, maybe even sneak in a trick play or two to build momentum.
Defensively, though, is where the real test lies. The Sooners allowed over 400 yards per game last season, and if that doesn’t improve, all the offensive firework won’t matter. I’m betting on Venables to turn this around—his track record with Clemson’s defenses speaks for itself. But it’ll require players buying into a gritty, physical style. Think back to that 122-118 basketball game: Tikas Kapampangan won because they tightened their defense when it mattered most, forcing key stops in overtime. Oklahoma’s linebackers and secondary need to adopt that same clutch mentality. If they can shave even 10-15 yards off their average allowed per game, they’ll be in a much better position to close out wins.
As we look ahead to the 2023 schedule, I’m cautiously optimistic. Games against Texas and Iowa State will be litmus tests, but if Oklahoma can channel the resilience we saw in that double-overtime thriller last August, they’ve got a real shot at dominating the conference. The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Oklahoma Football in the 2023 Season isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about building a team that refuses to fold when the pressure mounts. From where I stand, this could be the year the Sooners put it all together—blending veteran leadership with tactical tweaks to create something special. And if they do, we might just be talking about their own version of that 122-118 classic for years to come.