Brent Venables’ aggressive defense gives Oklahoma a different look than past Sooners playoff teams

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Brent Venables’ version of the Oklahoma Sooners is very different than the ones that previously reached the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma reached the playoff four times in the 2010s — once under Bob Stoops and three times under Lincoln Riley. Those squads were known for their high-scoring offenses and relatively leaky defenses, with the best example being a 54-48 loss to Georgia in a national semifinal after the 2017 season.

Times have changed. The eighth-ranked Sooners (10-2) feature a rugged, aggressive defense that leads the nation in tackles for loss (9.6 per game) and is tied for the nation’s lead in sacks (3.42) heading into next Friday’s first-round home game against No. 11 Alabama (10-3).

Venables, who led Oklahoma and Clemson to national titles as a defensive coordinator, took over defensive play calling duties this season after the Sooners went 6-7 last year in his third season. Now, he has gone from the hot seat to the playoff.

“I didn’t want anybody else to have to show up every day and carry that burden,” Venables said. “I wanted to carry it. It’s my responsibility. And that’s, again, something that I’ve cut my teeth on. It’s why I was hired. And so I had confidence in our roster and confidence in our staff to play at the level that we’re playing at.”

Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in rushing defense (81.4 yards per game), seventh in scoring defense (13.7 points per game) and ninth in total defense...