The Oklahoma Sooners made it to the 2026 preseason AP Top 25 poll, ranked No. 10 on Monday. Head coach Brent Venables’ squad builds on a successful 10-3 campaign in 2025 that concluded with a College Football Playoff berth.
Despite that ranking, SEC analyst Paul Finebaum voiced skepticism regarding Oklahoma’s ability to remain in the top 10, citing their difficult 2026 regular-season schedule.
Ex-NFL All-Pro Blasts Paul Finebaum for Oklahoma Prediction
Speaking on Monday’s edition of “Sportscenter,” Finebaum predicted that the Sooners would struggle next season due to their schedule.
START PREPARING:PFN’s Free College Fantasy Simulator
“I don’t know how people realistically think Oklahoma is gonna finish in the top 10,”Finebaum said. “You can say whatever you want with what they have in John Mateer; we were together at the SEC media days, but their schedule is beyond brutal. The second week of the year they go to Michigan.
“Michigan is highly regarded; they’re in the top-20. What’s gonna happen when Oklahoma gets there? That’s not even talking about a road trip to Georgia in September. Red River against Texas. I don’t know how they finish in the top 10.”
Former NFL star and Oklahoma alumnus Gerald McCoy pushed back against Finebaum’s prediction and welcomed the Sooners’ difficult schedule.
“Schedule? That’s your reason @finebaum? Man, this is the scariest, weakest statement ever. Winning a natty ain’t easy. It has to be earned. This is OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL. We ain’t worried about no schedule, man. We welcome all smoke!! Top universities say, “Line it up!!” And we are a top university. Line it up with whoever!! Win, lose, or draw, we ain’t ducking NOBODY. Home or road,” McCoy wrote.
The Sooners face a challenging road slate that includes six opponents ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. During the first half of the season alone, Oklahoma travels to face Michigan in Ann Arbor and Georgia in Athens, alongside its annual Red River Rivalry clash against Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Oct. 10.
In the second half of the season, Venables’ team will face a tricky road game against the Florida Gators in Gainesville. They will navigate further tests hosting the Ole Miss Rebels and the Texas A&M Aggies at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Last season, the Sooners boasted one of college football’s most potent defensive units, earning a PFN College Team Defense Impact score of 95.8, the third-best in the country.
This time, Oklahoma returns a high percentage of production from last year’s defense and is expected to be one of the top units in the SEC and college football once again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.