Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables held his weekly press conference on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Knoxville against Tennessee (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC). It was the first comments Venables made since the Sooners’ 34-26 loss to Ole Miss, as well as the first time he’s spoken since his back-and-forth with Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.

When speaking about the Volunteers, Venables called them a really good football team that presents a great challenge for them.

In the news conference, Venables discussed everything from quarterback John Mateer, Kendal Daniels, reaction to the firing of Brian Kelly at LSU, Courtland Guillory, Seth Littrell’s new job at Tennessee, and Josh Heupel’s growth as a head coach.

1. Venables says it his job to support John Mateer

Mateer hasn’t been his old self since returning from the hand injury. Venables made it clear that Mateer has his support, “"Just get your arm around him, talk open and honest with him and try to manage the burden of expectations, the burden of responsibility," Venables said. "You don't have to play perfect for us to win either.

"You don't have to play perfect for us to win either. You've just got to manage the game."

2. The ascension of Kendal Daniels

Daniels had his ups and downs in his last season at Oklahoma State, but is now a crucial piece of the Sooners’ defense. Venables stated, “"He's really accelerated. You don't always see that. Maybe it's not always apparent to the naked eye but it has been with him," Venables said. "Coach (Wes) Goodwin's done a great job of helping him attack some areas that he needed to improve and he's done that.”

He added, “He's right on schedule for your last year. You should be playing your best ball your last year and continuing to improve as well."

Daniels is the Sooners’ fourth-leading tackler with 31, and also has nine tackles for loss.

3. ‘Anxious Time’ in College Football after Brian Kelly firing

In the last several weeks, some big name coaches have lost their jobs including Mike Gundy, James Franklin, Billy Napier, and most recently Brian Kelly. Venables shared his thoughts on the pressure surrounding coaches in the sport at this moment stating, “This is an anxious time — an exciting time, an anxious time in college football," Venables said. "There's never been as much disruption as there is today. Every administration, leadership, they all have their own expectations and philosophies."

With his future uncertain, Venables went on to express faith in Oklahoma’s leadership stating, “I have constant communication, great support, great guidance, great structures that are in place to help us be successful.”

4. Courtland Guillory rebounds from the Auburn game

Freshman cornerback Courtland Guillory is starting to find his footing, after struggling a few weeks ago against Auburn. Guillory has come into his own, with a strong showing against Ole Miss which included six tackles, three passes defended, as well as half of a tackle for loss.

Guillory has caught the attention of his head coach as Venables stated, “We had 10 PBUs in last weekend's game and Courtland was excellent," Venables said. "He had a really good game, was physical, his coverage, his technique, his fundamentals. ... If you're going to win late, you typically need to win early within the down."

He added, “"He didn't flinch. He took responsibility. He didn't waste the pain, the suffering, the moment of failure," Venables said. "He received the coaching. He looked his teammates in their eyes and said that's on me, I've got to get better. ... He's been fantastic."

5. Hasn’t spoken much with Seth Littrell

The former Oklahoma fullback had a disastrous tenure as the Sooners’ offensive coordinator in 2024, before being fired midseason. The offense was a nightmare with Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. under center. Now Littrell has reunited with his former Sooners’ teammate Josh Heupel on Tennessee’s staff as an offensive analyst.

When asked about Littrell, Venables did not have much to say, “"I don't think there'll be any kind of dynamic from Seth and I," Venables said. "Haven't spoken to him for a long time but he's doing a great job obviously. ... It's never about two people. It's a players' game and not a coaches' game. He's doing great. Landed on his feet."

6. Nothing but love for Josh Heupel

Venables has been around the Tennessee head coach for a very long time, as he was the co-defensive coordinator when Heupel was the quarterback of Oklahoma’s last national championship squad in 2000. 

When asked about Heupel, Venables was very gracious in his praise of him saying, “He's really good. He's got great instincts," Venables said. "He understands defense as much as he understands offense, maybe even more. ... Even from last season structurally with what they do, there's been some evolvement.”

"He's always evolved and he's onto the next best thing for what his team needs."