Oklahoma's head coach Brent Venables faced criticism following the Sooners' 34-3 loss to No. 1 Texas, marking the second time in three years that OU failed to score a touchdown in this rivalry. Venables acknowledged his team's offensive struggles, emphasizing the need for improvement and accountability, stating, "It starts with me". The Sooners' offense averaged a mere 3.4 yards per play and suffered from a lack of depth at receiver, with their top five options unavailable due to injuries. Venables' decision to stick with quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who struggled significantly, has raised questions about his strategic choices. The loss has placed a spotlight on Venables' tenure, as Oklahoma has been outscored 113-37 by Texas since he took over, a stark contrast to the previous regimes of Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley. The team's performance highlights the urgent need for a turnaround as they move forward in the season.