Oklahoma is heading into its fourth season with coach Brent Venables after a disappointing 6-7 season in 2024. The Sooners struggled in the Southeastern Conference and won only two of eight league games.However, college football analyst Phil Steele labeled Oklahoma as a potential surprise contender for the 2025 College Football Playoff during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday."Last year they had zero returning starters on the offensive line," Steele said. "They were down their top five receivers at one point due to injury. Well, this year they've got a veteran offensive line, a veteran receiving core. They get their injured players back. "Oklahoma has boosted its roster with key transfers, as it landed former Cal running back Jaydn Ott in April, who amassed 3,460 all-purpose yards over the past three seasons and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2023.In December, the Sooners brought in Washington State quarterback John Mateer, who last season threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with a 64.6% completion rate, while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.The Sooners also hired Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who is known for producing quarterback Cam Ward, and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski.Steele is banking on these offensive upgrades, paired with an already elite defense."Nothing was wrong with that defense last year," Steele said. "They held opponents 87 yards per game below their average, number six in the country. The defense is outstanding. Now they have an offense to go with it."Another advantage for the Sooners is that their 2025 schedule is more favorable, as Steele noted:"Last year, they had three SEC home games. This year, they only have three SEC road games. They have the Texas game at a neutral site. Watch out for Oklahoma. They could be that fourth SEC team to make the playoffs."Oklahoma lands at No. 18 in AP preseason poll The Associated Press unveiled its preseason poll on Monday, placing Oklahoma at No. 18 with 463 points. This marks the Sooners’ 67th appearance in the preseason rankings, with an all-time average position of 7.07.After a relatively underwhelming 2024 season, OU's extensive offseason changes are fueling optimism for 2025."Everything has been geared to helping our football program be successful," Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione told CBS Sports in June. "I feel really, really good about all the improvements that have been made."The Sooners will kick off their 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Illinois State, followed by a home matchup with Michigan on Sept. 6.