Kirk Herbstreit reveals biggest concern surrounding Oklahoma in 2026

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Oklahoma Sooners emerged as one of college football's biggest surprises in 2026, turning a 6-7 season into a 10-3 campaign and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. The achievement was even more impressive considering Oklahoma navigated one of the most difficult schedules in college football.

Despite the challenge, the Sooners consistently found ways to win and put together one of the most unexpected runs in the country. Now, Oklahoma enters next season looking to build on that success and prove it can do more than simply reach the playoff.

ESPN "College GameDay" analysts Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit discussed Oklahoma's outlook on "The Pat McAfee Show." McAfee argued that Oklahoma is still being overlooked nationally, while Herbstreit explained why the lack of attention may be understandable.

"That team was very good last year, kind of under the radar, nobody really talking about them," McAfee said.

"Look at that schedule," Herbstreit responded. "At Michigan, at Georgia, Texas, obviously, in Dallas, a game even like at Mississippi State, you know the cowbells if that's a night game. You've got at Florida at The Swamp, (Texas) A&M at home, at Missouri… that is a grind. That's got to be as tough a schedule as anybody in the sport."

Oklahoma's 2026 season proved the Sooners are capable of competing against anyone in college football. The challenge now is doing it again with another brutal schedule standing in their way. As Herbstreit pointed out, Oklahoma's path is one of the toughest in the sport, but that challenge also gives the Sooners an opportunity. If they can navigate another difficult slate, there will be no question that Oklahoma belongs among the nation's elite.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Kirk Herbstreit reveals biggest concern surrounding Oklahoma in 2026

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos