Paul Finebaum explains why Oklahoma is not the biggest threat to LSU in SEC

Oklahoma has been one of the more impressive teams in the nation this season. Still, Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe they’re the top threat to the programs at the top of the SEC, like the LSU Tigers.

The Sooners are coming off a massive win against Auburn, but Finebaum still has some pause. He joined McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning earlier this week to dish on his concerns with Oklahoma, and why they may not be at the top level of the SEC just yet.

“Well, I was incredibly impressed with Oklahoma,” Finebaum stated. “But somebody asked me yesterday, do you think they’re the biggest challenge to LSU? And I don’t think they are. That’s not a shot—I just think Auburn did a lot of things to them that showed their deficiencies.

“And I’ll say this about probably 14 of the 16 SEC schools, but ultimately, they have to deal with a murderous row. It was always set up for them to get through the front part of the season before they got to Red River. And who knows about that now.”

All told, Oklahoma has more on their plate than Finebaum’s opinion — their quarterback John Mateer suffered a right hand injury during Saturday’s win, requiring surgery. He’s going to miss some time, and Finebaum called the injury “a crushing blow” to their season.

“Do you come back for Ole Miss?” Finebaum asked. “Then you’re at Tennessee, at Alabama. Missouri, LSU. The end of that schedule is just downright brutal. They’re going to need Mateer at some point, I would say.

“Could they win at South Carolina? Right now, South Carolina is an enigma — it’s difficult to predict. But certainly a crushing blow to the Sooners’ chances.”

Finebaum used a three weeks period, presuming Mateer would miss the final nonconference game of the year vs. Kent State and then the Red River Shootout against Texas. On3’s Pete Nakos reports there is “some hope” Mateer will be back in time to play in the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 11.

The exact moment Mateer broke the bone appears to have happened in the first quarter vs. Auburn. He still went on to have an incredible day, throwing for 271 yards and a touchdown on 24 of 36 passing. Mateer also scored the game-winning touchdown on the ground in the fourth quarter.

Alas, Oklahoma is 4-0, but Michael Hawkins will now take over as the Oklahoma starting quarterback. Venables made sure to keep Hawkins in the program despite bringing Mateer in via the NCAA transfer portal, and that move is now going to pay off. We’ll see if the Sooners can survive.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.