Paul Finebaum sends warning to the SEC: 'Watch out for those Sooners'

The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a season-defining win over the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry. Now, the Sooners are preparing to play the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats in Norman on Saturday.

The Sooners beat Texas with a second-half surge. Oklahoma trailed 17-7 at halftime, but the team finally woke up and showed the nation the team many thought they would see all year. Quarterback John Mateer completed 69.2% of his passes for 155 yards. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but he completed two huge passes to Isaiah Sategna to set up Tate Sandell's game-winning field goal.

On Saturday, ESPN's Paul Finebaum sent a warning to the rest of the SEC: watch out for Oklahoma.

"Mateer finally performed like we thought he would, so did the defense," Finebaum said on 'SEC Nation.' "Look at Sandell, winning the game against Texas. Watch out for those Sooners, now."

Finebaum's comments reflect the attention Oklahoma has earned after taking down the top-ranked Longhorns, but the Sooners now face the challenge of proving they can sustain that level of play. Kentucky arrives in Norman at 5-1 and ranked No. 15, bringing a physical offense and the confidence of a team that has already secured several big wins. Oklahoma will need another complete performance on both sides of the ball to protect its home field and build on the momentum from the rivalry win.

Saturday's game gives the Sooners a chance to show their comeback against Texas was a turning point, not a one-game breakthrough. Mateer and the offense will look to carry their late-game execution into a tougher test, while the defense must be ready for Kentucky's balanced attack. Another win over a ranked opponent would strengthen Oklahoma's standing in the SEC and give the Sooners even more reason to believe their season is moving in the right direction.