Paul Finebaum Names College Football Powerhouse Teetering On Playoff Contention

The Oklahoma Sooners are just over a week away from the start of a new era for their program. The Sooners are no longer members of the Big 12 conference, which they dominated by winning 14 conference championships since its founding in 1996.

Oklahoma now enters a conference that the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs have recently dominated. To make matters worse, in its first year in the SEC, the Sooners will face six top 15 teams this season, including three in the top six.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum suggests that Oklahoma could potentially make the playoffs this season if the Sooners can secure a crucial upset victory.

"One more school on the fringe of what I just got through saying (is) Oklahoma," Finebaum said. "They're an upset away probably from being in playoff contention."

According to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), the Sooners are predicted to have a strong first season in their new conference. FPI forecasts that Oklahoma will have an 8-4 record, giving them a 36.6% chance to make the College Football Playoff, which ranks them at No. 10 nationally.

Finebaum has previously stated that he predicts Oklahoma will have a 9-3 season. He attributes his optimism to his visits to see the program and likes what's unfolding in Norman. If the Sooners make it to the playoffs in their first year, it could pave the way for a promising future for Oklahoma.

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