College football analyst says Oklahoma has ‘dumbed down’ expectations

College football analyst says Oklahoma has ‘dumbed down’ expectations

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

College football analyst says Oklahoma has ‘dumbed down’ expectations

The College Football Playoff remains in a debate over expansion that seems increasingly imminent. The question now is what the field will expand to next. For now, 12 teams will seek to reclaim their stake in the tournament in 2026.

One of those teams, the Oklahoma Sooners, hopes to return to the playoff after signing head coach Brent Venables to a major extension. However, the move was not well received by some analysts.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum took a brutal swipe at Oklahoma for extending Venables, going as far as to say the school has “dumbed down” its expectations with the move.

MORE: Why Kalen DeBoer handing keys to Keelon Russell is a make-or-break move at Alabama

“You give someone an extension when there is concern that he may be leaving … I can only think of one school that Venables would be a candidate to leave for, and that’s Clemson if Dabo Swinney retired… 1-3 against your rival. You haven’t won a College Football Playoff game. You haven’t won a championship … Haven’t finished in the top-10. Unless you have dumbed down your expectations, you are probably not worthy of an extension.” Finebaum said.

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Should expectations be tempered?

Venables has an odd trend going on at the moment. His current record as head coach is 6-7, 10-3, 6-7 and 10-3. By all accounts, is Oklahoma headed toward another 6-7 season?

MORE: Paul Finebaum blasts Indiana’s schedule as ‘junior high’ competition

That would be a major disappointment for a program with Oklahoma’s expectations. Venables has taken the Sooners to the College Football Playoff just once, and they failed to win a game once they got there. Oklahoma also remains just 1-3 against Texas under Venables, making the rivalry another area where the program has fallen short.

NCAA Football: SEC Football Kickoff Media Days

Jul 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Sooners have shown they can put together strong regular seasons under Venables, but consistency has remained an issue. The 10-win seasons have been followed by disappointing campaigns.

That is why Finebaum’s criticism carries some weight. Extending Venables does not mean Oklahoma has lowered its expectations, but he still needs to deliver more than occasional 10-win seasons. A return to the playoff should be the expectation. Winning once there should be the next step.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

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