Larry,
Venables inherited a program that was diminished by Riley, (his poaching of OU's roster and recruiting), early exits, graduation and transfers.
The resurrection of OU has progressed, but there has been bumps in the road, as I expected there would be.
Of OU's 9 losses these past two years, 7 have been by a touchdown or less, so I don't pull a Skip Bayless or Colin Cowherd attitude of where OU is right now. These two "experts" haven't done their research about OU.
Even when OU was 7-0, I couldn't see OU being better than Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan....or even Washington, Oregon, or LSU. But I was, and still am, optimistic for OU's future.
Not the time for second guessing. OU and Venables need more time.