Paul Finebaum Warns College Football About 6-7 SEC Team

In late July, Finebaum received a call on his show from a caller predicting that Oklahoma would make the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019. Finebaum responded by saying he is not quite ready to agree.

“I’m not that optimistic,” Finebaum said. “I think Oklahoma has a shot to have a nine-win season. I’m struggling to come up with more than that at this moment.”

But a nine-win season in the SEC is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you look at the Sooners' 2025 schedule, which features some tough games against Michigan, Texas, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Kyle Wood of Athlon Sports ranked Oklahoma's schedule as the nation's second-hardest schedule this year.

“They have to be better,” Finebaum said in a different July episode. “They have to be significantly better. And that schedule is incredibly difficult."

'Elite' QB John Mateer Brings Optimism to Norman

There is optimism this season for the Sooners, as they have added former Washington State quarterback John Mateer and former California running back Jaydn Ott to their roster.

Last season, Mateer passed for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. Although Ott faced injuries during the 2024 season, he delivered a strong performance in 2023, rushing for 1,315 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.

"I think they’re good enough to have a big-time year," Finebaum previously said. "Mateer is elite. He’s got a lot of compliments around him, and I don’t think anything could have gone more wrong last year with all of the injuries to the line and to the wide receivers.”

The Sooners have also added former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to replace Seth Littrell, who was terminated during last season. Last year, Oklahoma's offense struggled significantly, ranking No. 113 in total offense, No. 119 in passing offense, No. 76 in rushing offense, and No. 97 in scoring offense.

That trio, along with other offensive additions, hopes to help the Sooners rebound in 2025.

Finebaum Said Venables' Job Is on the Line

Last season, Oklahoma finished with a record of 2-6 in the SEC, with five of its six losses occurring by double digits. This includes a significant defeat of 34-3 against its arch-rival, the Texas Longhorns, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Venables has a career record of 1-2 against Texas, with his two losses totaling a combined score of 83-3.

And if Venables struggles to turn things around in 2025, even with that mammoth of a schedule, Finebaum thinks the end could be near for the former Clemson defensive coordinator.

“Brent Venables knows what’s going on,” Finebaum said. “He knows his job is going to be on the line.”

Key Figures from Brent Venables' Oklahoma Contract:

• Venables' buyout after the 2025 season is $34.9 million.
• The buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million per year through the remainder of the deal.
• He signed a six-year contract extension after the 2023 season.
• The new deal guarantees an annual salary of over $8.5 million for its full duration.
• His original contract, signed in December 2021, was worth $43.5 million over six years.
• The entire contract is fully guaranteed, meaning Oklahoma is on the hook for the full amount if he's let go.

Oklahoma is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on August 30 against the Illinois State Redbirds.