Jeff HauserTue, November 25, 2025 at 2:49 AM UTC·1 min readCollege Football Playoff projection: No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oklahoma Sooners come into the final weeks ranked No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff projection by On3's Andy Staples.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOnce again, the Sooners leaned on its defense in edging No. 22 Missouri Tigers 17-6 on Saturday, keeping its Playoff hopes alive. This has been the story since quarterback John Mateer went out with a hand injury.
The OU offense had stalled while the defense is full speed ahead. Not a good combination and the biggest point of vulnerability going forward. Oklahoma’s stingy defense held the Tigers to a season-low 70 rushing yards and shut them out in the second half.
Coach Brent Venables described the team simply: “grimy,” and that assessment said it all. “Whether it’s a pretty win or an ugly win, we’re going to find a way to win,” Mateer added.
With the win, Oklahoma improved to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference, setting up a showdown next week with LSU Tigers that could clinch a playoff berth.
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