Paul Finebaum explains why Oklahoma can still make the CFP
By David Wasson
Published:
The Oklahoma Sooners absorbed their first loss of 2025 this weekend, falling to unranked Texas 23-6 in the annual Red River Rivalry. But ESPN pundit Paul Finebaum sees a very clear runway for coach Brent Venables’ team still earning a College Football Playoff berth.
“Someone will accuse me of being Paulie Positive here this morning, but I am still in on (Oklahoma),” Finebaum said on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Sunday morning. “The caveat is the road schedule. I think they can navigate South Carolina, but they are also at Tennessee and at Alabama. Those are not easy places to win.”
Finebaum pointed out that even if Oklahoma (5-1) tumbles to the Volunteers and Crimson Tide on the road, the Sooners will still need to take care of business in Norman against No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 14 Missouri and No. 11 LSU to have a good shot at being 1 of the 12 CFP teams.
“I think that is doable,” Finebaum added. “If they finish 9-3, they still might squeeze into the playoffs thanks to their schedule.”
Oklahoma plays at South Carolina (12:45 pm, SEC Network) on Saturday.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
