Phil Steele, the magazine publisher long considered one of the definitive voices in college football prognostication, released his predicted SEC standings over the weekend.

Oklahoma looks to be in good shape.

The Sooners were tabbed to finish in a tie for fourth in the Southeastern Conference, Steele projected, alongside LSU and Texas A&M. OU finished the 2024 in a tie for 13th with a 2-6 league record and a 6-7 record overall after losing to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.

One of the biggest reasons for Oklahoma’s predicted resurgence is a new-look offense. Head coach Brent Venables brought in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State. Arbuckle was a major factor in the Sooners landing quarterback John Mateer from the Cougars, as well. Mateer is considered one of the five best quarterbacks in the country. OU also picked up former first-team All-Pac 12 selection Jadyn Ott from California-Berkeley to serve as the team’s primary running back.

Oklahoma’s schedule is less than daunting than most in the SEC, too. The Sooners get their toughest teams on the road in Tennessee and Alabama, plus have just one other true road game in league play: at South Carolina on October 18. Steele picked Alabama second, Tennessee in a tie for seventh and South Carolina in a tie for 10th.

OU’s only other SEC game away from Norman comes October 11 against Texas, picked second by Steele, in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas. The Sooners host Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri in Norman.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma football predicted to finish fourth in SEC by Phil Steele