The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the biggest question marks coming into the 2026 season. Some think the Sooners are ready to compete for a national championship, while others are skeptical. That skepticism is likely due to what head coach Brent Venables has shown up to this point in his tenure. The Sooners have had two losing seasons in his first four years. But he's also had two double-digit-win seasons, including last season's College Football Playoff berth. ESPN's Paul Finebaum is one of the ones skeptical of Oklahoma this season. On "SportsCenter," Finebaum said he doesn't know how the Sooners ended up in the top-10 of the preseason AP poll. "I don't know how people realistically think Oklahoma's going to finish in the top-10," Finebaum said. "You can say whatever you want about what they have in John Mateer... but, Matt, their schedule is beyond brutal."
"I don't know how people realistically think Oklahoma's going to finish in the top 10." –@finebaum on the biggest surprise of the college football rankings 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y26z8hmjq3 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 17, 2026 Finebaum's argument wasn't centered on talent. Few people question what Oklahoma brings back entering the season, especially with quarterback John Mateer leading the offense and one of the nation's top defenses returning under Venables. Instead, Finebaum pointed to what many believe is one of the toughest schedules in college football. The Sooners face another demanding SEC slate while also traveling to Michigan in nonconference play, leaving little margin for error. But the Sooners just managed a difficult schedule masterfully last season. That challenge is part of what makes Oklahoma such an interesting team entering 2026. The talent appears to be there, but the path to another College Football Playoff berth is anything but easy.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor. This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Paul Finebaum puts Oklahoma on blast ahead of 2026 season