Oklahoma Sooners news: OU's playoff chances, Tory Blaylock rewarded and more

OU's College Football Playoff chances

Over halfway through the 2025 season, and the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners are still legit College Football Playoff contenders as they enter the toughest part of their schedule.

According to ESPN’s College Football Power Index after Week 8, the Sooners have a 42.9% chance to make the CFP. That's the 11th-best odds based on ESPN's FPI, which is good enough to put the Sooners in the 12-team field and as the last of five SEC teams that would get in with the current metrics.

However, the Sooners have a gauntlet ahead with five-straight ranked opponents, and On3's Andy Staples predicted a heartbreaking Selection Sunday for OU as one of the last four teams left out of the 12-team field come December.

Saturday is a monster game for the Sooners' playoff chances when they host No. 8 Ole Miss at 11 a.m. CT.

Tory Blaylock rewarded

OU freshman running back Tory Blaylock was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second time this season on Monday after his spectacular outing in the Sooners' 26-7 win against South Carolina.

Blaylock led the Sooners with 19 carries for 101 yards against South Carolina. Both were career-highs. He also scored the first touchdown of the game with an 18-yard run on OU's opening possession.

Jackson Arnold back in QB battle

Just like he was last season at OU, quarterback Jackson Arnold is again fighting for his starting job at Auburn.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said during Monday’s press conference that Arnold and backup Ashton Daniels will both get reps at practice this week before he decides who will start for the Tigers against Arkansas on Saturday.

Arnold started the Sooners' first four games last season before getting replaced by freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Arnold eventually got the job back, but he still never looked impressive and eventually transferred to Auburn during the offseason.

Even at Auburn now, Arnold is still struggling with the same issues, even though his situation at OU was initially blamed for his problems.