With a blueprint for rapid success now proven, the Sooners have no excuses—aggressive portal moves and top-tier talent position OU for a playoff push
In this week's episode of The Jones Report, hosts Tyler Jones, publisher of Sooners Roundtable, and Thomas Bridges, editor of OkState Roundtable, deliver an in-depth breakdown of the biggest headlines shaking up the SEC and Big 12 conferences.
The conversation kicks off with one of the most intriguing storylines in recent college football history: the shocking national championship victory by the Indiana Hoosiers under head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Hoosiers' improbable run culminated in a thrilling 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026.
Finishing the season undefeated at 16-0, Indiana not only claimed their first-ever national title but also authored what many are calling the greatest turnaround in college sports history. This achievement has sent shockwaves through the sport, particularly among fans of traditional power programs like the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Jones emphasizes that Indiana's success under Cignetti provides a clear, replicable blueprint for any ambitious program willing to commit fully. The key elements are straightforward yet powerful: assembling the right coaching staff with proven expertise, securing the necessary resources—whether through NIL collectives, facilities upgrades, or strategic investments—and instilling a culture of discipline and execution on and off the field.
Cignetti's journey from lower-division coaching to leading a national champion underscores that elite results no longer depend solely on historical pedigree or massive built-in advantages.
For both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, this raises a compelling question: If a program like Indiana—long considered a perennial underachiever in the Big Ten—can reach the pinnacle, why can't schools with far richer football traditions do the same?
Jones and Bridges agree that the "why not us?" mentality is gaining traction. Oklahoma boasts a storied legacy with multiple national titles and a passionate fanbase, while Oklahoma State has shown flashes of excellence in recent decades. Both programs now operate in evolving conferences (SEC for OU, Big 12 for OSU) where parity is increasingly real, thanks to NIL, the transfer portal, and expanded playoffs.
The era of automatic dominance by traditional "bluebloods" is fading, replaced by one where smart hires, aggressive resource allocation, and cultural buy-in determine success.Looking forward to the 2026 season, optimism is building rapidly for both teams.
Way-too-early preseason rankings place the Sooners consistently in the top 12 nationally. Outlets like CBS Sports, ESPN, The Athletic, and others project Oklahoma as a legitimate contender for another College Football Playoff appearance, with some even floating dark-horse SEC title scenarios. The expectations are clear: after a solid bounce-back campaign in 2025, the Sooners are positioned to contend at the highest level once more.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are generating buzz under new head coach Eric Morris, who took over after a challenging period for the program. Analysts like ESPN's Bill Connelly have highlighted Morris's hire as one of the cycle's best, praising his importation of a high-powered offense from North Texas—complete with key transfers like quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, and wide receiver Wyatt Young.
Connelly even projected Oklahoma State as a surprise playoff team in his way-too-early 2026 bracket, calling it an "outlandish" but exciting possibility given the massive portal haul (ranked among the nation's best) and potential for explosive scoring. Josh Pate and other experts have echoed this sentiment, suggesting the Pokes could make a dramatic leap and vie for Big 12 contention or better.
The broader takeaway from Indiana's triumph is transformative: college football's landscape has shifted dramatically. Sustained excellence now hinges on execution—making the right leadership choices, investing wisely in infrastructure and talent acquisition, and fostering a winning mindset—rather than relying on legacy alone.
Both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State stand at a crossroads with a golden opportunity to capitalize on this new reality. The question isn't whether they have the tools; it's whether they'll fully commit to using them.The episode doesn't stop at football analysis.
Jones and Bridges dive into the latest developments in Big 12 and SEC basketball, where Porter Moser's and Steve Lutz's teams have encountered recent stumbles that could impact conference standings.
They also offer a preview of the upcoming AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, sharing predictions and insights on key matchups. Adding to the NFL discussion, they cover the latest coaching carousel moves reshaping franchises league-wide.
Finally, the show welcomes a fresh voice to the Roundtable Sports family: NASCAR Roundtable editor Jonathan Fjeld, who joins to recap the most significant headlines from the NASCAR offseason, including driver moves, team changes, and storylines to watch heading into the new season.
With engaging breakdowns, expert perspectives, and timely cross-sport coverage, this episode of The Jones Report captures the excitement and uncertainty defining modern college and professional athletics. Fans of the Sooners, Cowboys, and beyond won't want to miss it.