Paul Finebaum evaluates how ready Texas, Oklahoma are for the SEC
We’re less than a week away from Texas and Oklahoma officially joining as the newest members of the SEC. Both transitions should be seamless to start next month too considering how Paul Finebaum sees them going.
Finebaum gave his thoughts on the preparedness of the Longhorns and Sooners to be in the Southeastern Conference during ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning’ on Monday. Those came with the fact that this really is happening for both programs and the league come July 1st.
“It is a new world and everyone listening knows that. The reality is here,” said Finebaum. “I mean, a week from now, Texas and Oklahoma will be in the SEC. It’s no longer going to be, ‘Hey, what’s the countdown clock look like?'”
As for their readiness, though, Finebaum believes each will be more than fine in their debut seasons in the SEC. Texas is in the best spot that their program has been in in some time under Steve Sarkisian. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is now set and stable for the next few years under Brent Venables.
“I think they’re both ready in different ways,” Finebaum said.
“Texas, you know, may appear to be a little more ready because of what they did last year. But I think Oklahoma is in very good shape. I think that’s one reason why you saw the contract extension the other day,” continued Finebaum. “I know some people in the industry go, ‘Ah, how can you do this? Isn’t this how you get in trouble?’. Well, not really – not if you have one of the preeminent athletic directors in the country who doesn’t want a single question asked next Monday when the entire focus of college football is on Oklahoma. ‘Well, what’s the future look like for Brent Venables?’ – I dare someone to ask the question now considering what he just received.”
The expansion of the College Football Playoff also plays into the opinion of Finebaum. Making the postseason and being in the championship running will be easier now, even as they move into the SEC. That’s enough for them to be excited for, regardless of how many more challenges there may be now in their new conference compared to their old one.
“I think the greatest advantage for both and the incredible nature of the timing is the 12-team playoff,” added Finebaum. “If this was a couple years ago and Texas and Oklahoma were trying to get in the four-team playoff, it would be extremely difficult. Now, Texas made it last year from the Big 12. Oklahoma has made it in the past.”
Some people are still going to have to see it to believe it when it comes to Texas and Oklahoma staying successful in the SEC. Still, Finebaum isn’t one of them as he trusts that both are ready to make the ascension this summer and into the fall.