Oklahoma football, a preseason top-10 ranked team in the US LBM Coaches Poll, was dominated by South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 31, falling 42-25 in a game that was more out of reach than the score suggested.
Fifth-year coach Brent Venables and the Sooners — 5.5-point favorites entering the game — trailed 42-16 early in the fourth quarter as their offense continued to struggle. Oklahoma scored two offensive touchdowns in the game, both of which came in the final period with the game all-but over already.
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The Sooners’ stout defense also was torched for 521 total yards, the most they’ve allowed since joining the SEC.
More: Things are getting ugly at Oklahoma, and Sooners fans know who they blame
Venables led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff in 2025, despite the Sooners’ offense struggling to score points. Oklahoma’s offense has taken a step back in 2026, ranking among the worst units in Power Four this season.
The former Oklahoma and Clemson defensive coordinator signed a contract extension before the season, likely making it tough for the Sooners to move on from Venables as head coach. Venables is now 36-24 in his tenure, with a pair of 6-7 and 10-3 finishes.
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Oklahoma’s long bowl eligibility streak is also potentially in jeopardy. The Sooners, which have gone to a bowl game every season since 1999, need two wins in their final four games against Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri to maintain their streak, which is the second-longest in college football only behind Georgia (29 years).
Here’s a look at Venables’ contract and buyout information after Oklahoma’s loss to South Carolina:
Venables’ buyout is $52,499,979 as of Oct. 31, per his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. He’d be owed $833,333 per month through the remainder of his contract, which ends after the 2031 season.
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It’s unclear how his buyout would be paid out. His contract also includes a duty-to-mitigate clause, which would lower the buyout if he were to land another job after being fired or leaving the school.
Venables’ buyout drops by $10 million each season until 2030, when his buyout drops to over $5.8 million. In the final year of his deal in 2031, he has a buyout of $833,334.
Venables signed a six-year extension worth $63 million prior to the 2026 season. He’s being paid $10 million in 2026, with his annual salary raising by $200,000 each season through 2031.
The average annual value of his deal is $10.5 million.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma is unraveling. Here’s the massive price of firing Brent Venables
