Oklahoma football used last Saturday’s game against Maine as a chance to regain their confidence and fix some of their offensive issues. Beating an FCS opponent at home is a lot different than beating an SEC team on the road, though. Quarterback Jackson Arnold hopes to build on his strong Week 10 outing in the Sooners’ upcoming game against Missouri. This goal should be much more achievable after Thursday’s injury news.

Wide receivers Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq are trending toward their long-awaited returns. Both are likely to play at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247 Sports. The offense has been extremely poor most of the season, so these impact upperclassmen could give Oklahoma a big boost. And the timing couldn’t be better for Brent Venables.

While the third-year head coach is not in danger of being fired this season, the pressure increases. The Sooners’ transition from the Lincoln Riley era was bound to include some turbulence, but after nearly three full years under the new regime, a true breakthrough awaits.

Can Oklahoma football save the campaign?

Oklahoma drafted Arnold as the future of the program, but overall results were disappointing in 2024. The former five-star recruit is showing signs of growth, even with a limited crop of pass rushers and a weak offensive line. In theory, it should only get better now that two of the team’s top starters are expected to return to action.

Deion Burks, a Purdue transfer who had 47 receptions for 629 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, has been sidelined the past five weeks with a minor injury. Jalil Farooq suffered a broken leg in the season opener and has not played since after totaling 694 receiving yards last year. Nic Anderson is still out with a quad injury, but these two wideouts could give Oklahoma football fans something positive to reflect on during the offseason.

After its trip to Colombia, Venables’ team closes out the year with games against No. 11 Alabama and No. 14 LSU. If the healthiest Sooners could somehow find its footing in the SEC and squeak out a win over the next three weeks, it should avoid a complete embarrassment. A 6-6 record would make them bowl eligible and allow the team a chance to win a consolation prize in the postseason.

Most importantly, though, such an end to the season can help Jackson Arnold and the rest of this offense get more comfortable going forward.