"One of the more undervalued teams": Oklahoma HC Brent Venables gets real about South Carolina's evaluation ahead of Week 8 clash

Brent Venables' Oklahoma come up against an unfamiliar foe this weekend as it looks to bounce back from the loss in the Red River Rivalry. The Sooners welcome South Carolina to Norman for their first meeting, which is expected to be a tight one.

Ahead of the game at the OU Memorial Stadium, Brent Venables believes that the South Carolina team is not fairly evaluated. The coach believes that his team will need to fight hard for victory this weekend against the Gamecocks who have been performing at a high level.

"Going into the year," Venables said. "I said that at some point in time that I felt they were one of the more undervalued teams of the teams on our schedule, based on what they had coming back, what they had recruited, where they were as a football team coming out of the spring.

“They had a rough start in their opener against ODU. But other than that, man, they've played really well. A year ago, they weren't great on the road, and, in two games this year, at both Kentucky and the University of Alabama, they gave themselves a chance to win.”

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Brent Venables wary of South Carolina's offense

While Oklahoma boasts a pretty solid defense, Brent Venables is worried about what South Carolina's offense is capable of. The offense, led by redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, has turned up brilliantly in a host of situations this season.

"They have quarterback-designed plays," Venables said, "and then he can improvise when things break down. He makes a lot of plays on the perimeter with his eyes down the field. Has created explosive plays by doing so.

“They've recruited well at the tight end, at receiver. They've got some guys that can really go there. They have started all five same offensive linemen in all six games this year, with 179 career starts.”

South Carolina enters the game with a 3-3 record, losing to LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama, who were all top 10 teams when they met. The defeat to the Tigers and the Crimson Tide came down to the final plays, which is a wake-up call to the Sooners.

Oklahoma's start to life in the SEC hasn't been smooth. While the Sooners boast a 4-2 record overall, they are 1-2 in the SEC. Brent Venables will hope to seal a victory at home against South Carolina on Saturday before facing tougher opponents.