Paul Finebaum assesses how ready Texas and Oklahoma are for the SEC

How REAL is SEC bias in college football?

We are less than a week away from Texas And Oklahoma officially joining as the newest members of the SEC. Both transitions should also be smooth to begin next month, given how Paul Finebaum sees them playing out.

Finebaum gave his thoughts on the Longhorns and Sooners’ readiness to compete in the Southeastern Conference during “McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning” on Monday. This is because it actually happens for both programs and the league on July 1st.

“It’s a new world and everybody listening knows that. The reality is there,” Finebaum said. “I mean, in a week, Texas and Oklahoma are going to be in the SEC. It’s not going to be, ‘Hey, what’s the countdown clock looking like?’”

As for their preparation, though, Finebaum believes everyone will be more than fine in their first seasons in the SEC. Texas is in the best position its program has been in in some time under Steve Sarkisian. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is now stable for the next few years under Brent Venables.

“I think they’re both ready in different ways,” Finebaum said.

“Texas, you know, may seem a little more ready because of what they did last year. But I think Oklahoma is in really good shape. I think that’s one of the reasons why you saw the contract extension the other day,” Finebaum continued. “I know some people in the industry are like, ‘Ah, how can you do that?’ Isn’t that how you get into trouble?’. Well, not really — not if you have one of the most prominent athletic directors in the country who doesn’t want a single question asked next Monday when college football focuses entirely on Oklahoma. “Well, what does the future look like for Brent Venables? – I challenge anyone to ask that question now given what they just received.

The expansion of the College Football Playoff also plays into Finebaum’s opinion. Making the playoffs and making the championship will now be easier, even if they enter the SEC. That’s enough to keep them excited, no matter how many additional challenges their new conference might present compared to the old one.

“I think the biggest advantage for both and the incredible nature of the timing is the 12-team playoffs,” Finebaum added. “If it was a few years ago and Texas and Oklahoma were trying to make the four-team playoff, it would be extremely difficult. Now, Texas was successful last year starting in the Big 12. Oklahoma has been successful in the past.

Some people will still have to see it to believe it when it comes to Texas and Oklahoma’s success in the SEC. Still, Finebaum isn’t one of them because he thinks both are ready to make the climb this summer and fall.