Looking at all of the preseason polls and power rankings, it is blatantly clear that the Oklahoma Sooners are being held in high regard. They find themselves at No. 2 in our composite power rankings ahead of teams like the Clemson Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Georgia Bulldogs. With the defense on the rise and the return of Spencer Rattler, it is clear that most analysts are buying into the Oklahoma CFP run in 2021.
According to 247Sports, national analyst with ESPN Paul Finebaum discussed why the Sooners are poised for a run. He even went as far as to say that nobody should worry about their Red River counterparts, the Texas Longhorns.
“I think you have to be (on this bandwagon),” Finebaum said. “And there will be some … pick them No. 1 in the country, and I can see that. There are some faults with Clemson. There are some minor faults with Alabama, Georgia — the obvious fault being Georgia. And Oklahoma, you can’t find any. And the schedule is pretty good. I think their big non-conference game is at home and nobody’s going to get too concerned about Texas anymore.”
Last year the Sooners started the season with a 1-2 record heading into the Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl. It was a rocky start to that game as well and it led to the benching of Rattler. Upon his return, the talented redshirt freshman quarterback didn’t look back. The team wouldn’t lose another game after outlasting the Longhorns in the four-overtime marathon matchup.
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The Oklahoma Sooners football team will come with their fair share of challenges along the way in 2021. After a three-game nonconference schedule, they face off with Kansas State and Iowa State. Those two teams handed OU their only two losses of the year. The Texas game is always tough as a rivalry game and the Baylor Bears could surprise some in 2021. The Bears were able to hold the Oklahoma offense to their lowest point total on the season.
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This year could be the year that the Oklahoma Sooners finally breakthrough in the College Football Playoffs. Or it could be similar to previous trips to the four-team tournament. Only time will tell but Alex Grinch and company are poised to give Lincoln Riley his best shot at it.