Paul Finebaum Claims Oklahoma Sooners Are ‘On The Way Back’

The Oklahoma Sooners are officially members of the SEC, joined by the Texas Longhorns as newcomers of the conference. It’s a juggernaut of the conference, but Texas won the Big 12 a season ago while the Sooners won ten games, seemingly finding their footing after a down season.

After the Sooners were left high and dry by Lincoln Riley, Brent Venables was brought to Norman to lead the program. During his first season with Oklahoma the team posted a 6-7 record. It felt as if the program could then take a step back.

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Evidently, the Sooners are a blue blood program. Despite the losing season, Oklahoma brought in elite recruiting classes and bounced back with a ten-win season in 2023. They’ve reloaded with even more talent and seem primed to head into the SEC trending in the right direction.

Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners Schooner enters the field before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

A Big 12-dominant program and blue blood team now gets a chance to prove themselves as they play in the best league in college football. Paul Finebaum of SEC Network believes they are on the right track.

Paul Finebaum claims the Sooners are “on the way back”

Oklahoma dominated the Big 12 and has won seven national titles over the course of their history. There is a reason they’re regarded as a top program in the sport of college football. A couple of down seasons as they re-established their culture will do no harm in the big picture, and Finebaum understands that.

Finebaum took to “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” on Monday to break down his viewpoint on the program.

“They took a bump and a hit after Lincoln Riley left. They had to reprogram the entire place, reboot it. … From a vibes standpoint, I think the program, I think this year if they can land somewhere between 8-4 and 9-3 they’ll be OK, considering their schedule,” Finebaum said. “But I don’t have any doubt Oklahoma is clearly on the way back.”

Eight wins seems more than manageable for a program with an over/under win total set at 7.5 widely across sportsbooks. Oklahoma should be able to exceed expectations as Venables enters a decisive third year with the program. Nine wins arguably has them being considered for the College Football Playoffs.

Having Finebaum claim a program is on their way back seems to have some validity to it, given the feel and vibe around the guys in Norman. Those sporting crimson and cream gear will have plenty to be excited about this fall.

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Follow Kade Kimble on Twitter.