Paul Finebaum Names College Football Program That’s Nearly Back To Its Former Glory

Media members nationwide attended SEC media days to interview coaches and players. They could interview individuals associated with the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns for the first time.

The Longhorns have not experienced much recent success until last season. Texas won the Big 12 for the first time since 2009 and played for the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma was in Year 2 under Brent Venables and showed significant improvement, going from a 6-7 record in Year 1 to 10-3 last season.

However, many people believe that the Longhorns have a chance to contend for the SEC championship in their first year, but they have doubts about the Sooners. Paul Finebaum told J.D. Pickell of On3 that although he believes Oklahoma is not quite at the level of the program that used to dominate the Big 12, it's not far from reaching that point.

"I think Oklahoma isn't quite to the level that program has been with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and those guys," Finebaum said. "But I don't think they're far from it either."

Finebaum mentioned that three or four games could be crucial for Oklahoma. He believes Georgia is ahead of the rest in the SEC, with Texas slightly below. The battle for the third spot will involve Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Oklahoma.

Still, while some believe Oklahoma is far from its former glory, Finebaum thinks the Sooners are on the right track to reclaim their past success.

Related: Paul Finebaum Predicts Top College Football Program Will Miss Playoff