It's no surprise when a member of Sooner Nation is optimistic about the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners, but believers are starting to come from everywhere, even Stillwater.
Former Oklahoma State All-American offensive lineman and longtime local sports radio personality Sam Mayes posted via X that he predicts the Sooners can make the College Football Playoff this season as long as they stay healthy and the offensive line improves.
There’s a whole lot of folks out there sleeping on the #Sooners this year. IMO if the OL stays healthy and grades out consistently in the 80-85% range they are playoff bound.
— Sam Mayes (@AllmericanMayes) August 5, 2025
Sam Mayes predicts Oklahoma to make College Football Playoff
Mayes started every game but one during his final three years at OSU, where he was named an All-American. He graduated in 2004 and eventually became a sports radio personality for over a decade in Oklahoma before getting out of radio in 2022.
Still keeping up with college football, Mayes has the two biggest concerns as everyone else about the Sooners this year. OU suffered countless injuries and endured some of the worst pass blocking in the country last season. Health can't really be altered, but so far, OU's offensive line has gotten a lot of praise early on during fall camp.
OSU fans have often accused Mayes for flipping allegiances since his time on the radio. In his defense, the Sooners were just usually better during his time on air. Mayes is just usually honest, especially about his alma-mater after a season in which the Cowboys didn't win a single conference game.
I’m not in the media anymore, I just tweet for fun. I have no clue what’s going on in Stillwater—and judging by last year, neither did the Cowboys. I picked them to play for a Big 12 title… they couldn’t even win a pillow fight. So this year, I expect nothing. Maybe they’ll… https://t.co/nrsSUj4kuz
— Sam Mayes (@AllmericanMayes) August 6, 2025
Regardless, Mayes no longer has a dog in the fight and at the end of the day would much rather see his alma-mater succeed. However, with an unbiased take and coming from a guy who obviously knows ball, Mayes thinks highly of the Sooners' potential in 2025.
Read more about OU football