Brent Venables has a test coming up

After Saturday, the Sooner coach will try keeping his team together for one last go-round, not matter how bad the bowl. He's right on what ought to happen, but making it happen is a different deal.

Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables talks to his team during fall camp. (SoonerSports.com photo)

Brent Venables has a test coming up.

Plenty of them, actually, especially given the way Bedlam’s second half played out.

There, two things were clear.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby had no idea how to run the second-half clock at a time he also had no idea how to continue play-calling after getting out to a quick 28-point advantage and, as head coach, it’s Venables’ job to get in the way of both. 

He can't let Lebby take the offense into hibernation and, even if he fails to stop that, he really can’t let the Sooner offense become the de facto clock manager for its Bedlam rival.

On both counts, Venables fell short and, who knows, the same issues may arise Saturday evening in Lubbock, where Oklahoma will try keeping its hope of an eight-win season alive. That, or other challenges will demand Venables take head-coaching steps to aid the effort, not just defensive-coordinator steps trying to keep the Red Raiders in check.

Also, should OU get past Texas Tech, and even if it doesn’t, Venables will then face the challenge he spent a fair amount of time addressing on Tuesday, that of keeping players in the fold.