ESPN Analyst Picks Oklahoma Sooners to Win It All in 12-Team College Football Playoff

ESPN Analyst Picks Oklahoma Sooners to Win It All in 12-Team College Football Playoff

December 16, 2024

As the College Football Playoff field expands to 12 teams for the first time in history, ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit is making a bold prediction: the Oklahoma Sooners will emerge as national champions in the inaugural 12-team playoff.

Herbstreit, who has closely followed the rise of Oklahoma under head coach Brent Venables, pointed to the team’s balance on both sides of the ball and their momentum heading into the postseason as key factors in his prediction.

“Oklahoma has everything it takes to win it all this year,” Herbstreit said on ESPN’s College GameDay. “They’ve got a dynamic offense with Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, an improved defense, and a coaching staff that has a clear vision for success. In a 12-team playoff, it’s going to be about peaking at the right time, and this team is playing their best football when it matters most.”

The Sooners, who finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, are a No. 2 seed in the new 12-team playoff format. They will face off against a No. 7 seed in the first round, with their hopes of a national title on the line.

Oklahoma’s path to the championship will not be easy. The expanded field features powerhouse teams like Georgia, Michigan, and Washington, as well as surprise entrants like Liberty, who have made waves in the Group of Five this season. However, Herbstreit believes Oklahoma’s combination of explosive playmaking, experience, and depth will carry them to the top.

“I think the Sooners are in a prime position to navigate the gauntlet of this 12-team field. The talent is there, and they’ve been battle-tested in the Big 12. They won’t shy away from tough matchups,” Herbstreit continued.

While some have raised concerns about Oklahoma’s defense—particularly against high-powered offenses—Herbstreit is confident that Venables, a former defensive coordinator at Clemson, will have the team ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

“Brent Venables has always been known for his defense, and he’s got the pieces in place now to make that side of the ball a strength. It’s only a matter of time before we see the full potential of this team.”

As the 2024 College Football Playoff gets underway, all eyes will be on the Sooners as they attempt to navigate the expanded field and capture their first national title since 2000.

Will Kirk Herbstreit’s prediction come true, or will another team rise to the occasion in this new era of playoff football? The journey to the championship begins soon.

Playoff Field

The 12 teams vying for the national title are:

The first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff will kick off next week, with all games taking place at neutral sites across the country.

Stay tuned to ESPN for continued coverage and analysis as the road to the 2024 National Championship unfolds.