Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Program That Didn't Look Like a Playoff Team
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The first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff has ended, and one of the most exciting games of the opening weekend occurred in Norman, Okla.
The No. 8 seed Oklahoma Sooners (10-3) faced off against the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) in a rematch of a regular-season game, in which Oklahoma had previously secured a victory in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners quickly took control of the game, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and appearing poised for a blowout win.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the Crimson Tide continued to fight back. One of the pivotal moments of the game occurred with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Oklahoma led 17-7 and faced a critical third and three from their own 47-yard line. Quarterback John Mateer, managing to escape a sack, seemed poised to run for a first down. Instead, he threw a pass downfield to running back Xavier Robinson, who, despite having a chance to score, dropped the ball, resulting in a punt.
During the punt, punter Grayson Miller dropped the ball, allowing Alabama to take over deep in Oklahoma territory. The Sooners managed to hold Alabama to a field goal, bringing the score to 17-10. On the next possession, Mateer threw a pick-six, which tied the game at 17 by halftime. Alabama ultimately went on to win the game with a final score of 34-24.
This performance prompted ESPN’s Paul Finebaum to state on “The Matt Barrie Show” that Oklahoma did not appear to belong in the CFP.
“Oklahoma did not really look like a playoff team,” Finebaum said. “They were fragile all year, Matt. That was my third trip to Norman this college football season. So, I’ve had a pretty good taste of the Sooners. They barely got by Auburn. It took two of the worst calls I’ve ever seen to get them past, one of the worst teams in the SEC.”
Oklahoma’s unraveling against Alabama quickly became a referendum on the Sooners’ playoff credentials. What began as a dominant first quarter ended with a cascade of mistakes. The loss marked a familiar theme for critics, who argued that Oklahoma’s margin for error had been thin all season and finally disappeared under playoff pressure.
That assessment was echoed strongly by Finebaum as he noted that the Alabama game merely magnified issues that had surfaced throughout the season, an inability to close, lapses in execution and vulnerability once momentum shifted. For a CFP environment built on punishing mistakes, Oklahoma’s second-quarter collapse proved decisive.
Looking ahead, the loss is likely to fuel broader conversations about playoff expansion, seeding, and how résumés are evaluated when conference strength and close wins collide. For Oklahoma, the offseason now centers on addressing composure and depth, traits exposed under the brightest lights. Meanwhile, Alabama’s comeback reinforces its reputation as a postseason problem, advancing with renewed confidence after turning one critical stretch into a season-defining win.
Related: David Pollack Picks Upset in First Round of College Football Playoff
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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