Greg McElroy sends clear message about Oklahoma's championship hopes

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The Oklahoma Sooners feel they have a chance to win their first national championship since the 2000 season. The Sooners are coming off the first College Football Playoff since the 2019 season.

Head coach Brent Venables led a bounce-back season after going 6-7 in their first year in the SEC in 2024. The Sooners would go 10-3 before losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round of the College Football Playoff, despite having a 17-point lead.

But there is reason to believe Oklahoma has its most talented team in the Venables era. That's why ESPN's Greg McElroy believes the Sooners could return to the playoff and have what it takes to win it all.

"I think Oklahoma can win the national championship; I really believe that," McElroy said on 'Always College Football.' "But in order to win the national championship, you must first get to the College Football Playoff."

The biggest question is whether Oklahoma's offense can complement its defense consistently enough against the SEC's best teams. Quarterback John Mateer has the talent to elevate the unit, but staying healthy and becoming more consistent will be critical after an injury affected his 2025 season.

If that happens, McElroy believes Oklahoma belongs in the national championship conversation. The Sooners don't need to prove they can win the title in September. They first need to survive their brutal schedule, reach the CFP and give themselves a chance in December.

If they can do that, McElroy believes Oklahoma has enough talent to finish the job.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Greg McElroy sends clear message about Oklahoma's championship hopes

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