Paul Finebaum Reveals Reason Top SEC Team Is Being Overlooked Nationally

Ever since the announcement that the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns are moving to the SEC, both teams have been perceived very differently. Texas is considered the more valuable acquisition after its 20-7 record over the last two years, while also winning the Big 12 championship and appearing in the College Football Playoff in 2023.

On the other hand, Oklahoma is viewed with more uncertainty. This seems appropriate, given that the Sooners have gone 16-10 over the last two seasons. However, there is some hope in Norman, Okla., as the Sooners achieved a 10-3 record in Year 2 under Brent Venables last season. Additionally, the Sooners have maintained an average recruiting ranking of No. 7 since Venables took over, which paints a positive picture.

On The Paul Finebaum Show , the SEC Network analyst shared his thoughts on the stereotypes of the two schools. He acknowledged the optimism in Austin, TX, but he wants to remind people that the Sooners have been more successful than the Longhorns in the last 25 years.

"I heard Quinn Ewers talk about, 'We're the ones everyone wants to beat,'" Finebaum said. "Then I heard some bravado from the administrators, which I understand, so I said, 'I guess it was Texas that's won in the last 25 years, 11 Big 12 championships and Oklahoma only three.' Then I realized I had that reversed. You guys really don't need to explain yourself out here."

ESPN's Football Power Index aligns with Finebaum's opinion that the Sooners will be all right in the SEC. It ranks the Sooners at No. 8 in the country for the 2024 season. Despite its demanding schedule, the index predicts that the Sooners will win 8.2 games, giving them a 36.6% chance of making the playoffs.

If the Sooners can maintain the momentum it built last season, it could be an exciting year in Norman.

Related: Texas Is Not More SEC-Ready Than Its Red River Rival