After a Week 9 loss to Ole Miss, Oklahoma had only an 18.9% chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN. But the crucial victory in week 10 has improved the odds significantly for the Brent Venables team. Sitting at 33.2% with a 7-2 overall record, they control their future. However, Tuesday’s CFP ranking made the scenario a bit concerning. They put Texas at No. 11, just ahead of the Sooners at No. 12. Yet, CFB reporter David Pollack sees a chance for OU to make it.

On Wednesday’s appearance on his show See Ball Get Ball, Pollack was crystal clear about his stance on Oklahoma’s playoff chances. “I don’t think ever that Oklahoma wins out and they’re not in the college football playoff. If that’s the case, I’m out of here… like I’m leaving the sport,” said the national reporter. The Sooners now sit at 6th in the SEC, just after Texas. With three games remaining against Alabama, LSU, and Missouri, they have plenty of chances to make the playoffs this season.

After the bye week, Oklahoma will face Bama, and if they lose that game, a 9-3 resume can keep them in the playoff conversation with losses against Ole Miss and Texas. Here’s where OU’s one of the toughest schedules, with eight SEC opponents, comes into play. As Pollack put it best, stating, “You go play that schedule, and you play a ranked team at a conference in Michigan, and you go take care of business, and you win that. Screw you.” Making it crystal clear that the Sooners deserve a spot in the playoff if they win their remaining games.

Oklahoma now stands at 3-2 in SEC play and has already beaten No. 25 Tennessee, Auburn, and South Carolina. Then they defeated Michigan 24-13 with John Mateer’s 270 passing yards as well as 74 rushing yards. Despite that, if they don’t get their deserved place in the playoffs, “I quit,” said Pollack. “Absolutely not Oklahoma fans, they got screwed enough with the schedule coming into the league compared to Texas. That would be an ultimate screw job.”

While the Red River Rivalry win against Oklahoma, 23-6, might have given Texas this opportunity. Texas still faces Georgia and Texas A&M, and any slip there could open a spot for the Sooners. Although CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford didn’t put OU in his CFP bracket, the road ahead still holds opportunity and a little luck for the Sooners.

Sitting at No. 7, BYU still has a tricky slate, including TCU, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. So their slip can also open the door for Oklahoma to be in playoff contention. Then there’s Oregon, at No. 9, which must navigate tough matchups against Washington and USC. Their stumble could work in Oklahoma’s favor. But all these are only applicable if OU wins all its remaining games. Probably that’s why the HC made his stance clear on the playoff push.

Brent Venables’ feelings looking ahead

We already know the Sooners are sitting at No. 12 in the initial CFP rankings. But with a road test against Bama looming, the Sooners HC knows their path to the playoff won’t be easy. That’s why Brent Venables focused on winning the games in front of them, without worrying about the present ranking. “None of that stuff matters. I don’t control any of the other things other than what we can do on our end.”

While the strength of schedule will be a hot topic in college football, Oklahoma checks in as the 12th toughest nationally. They are behind only Georgia, Alabama, and Texas in the SEC. Still, Brent Venables keeps his team’s eyes on the prize.

“The number one way you position yourself the strongest is to improve, get better, and win in these last few weeks,” stated the Sooners HC. Looks like, without chasing any hypothetical scenario, the 54-year-old believes it’s about controlling what they can. Meanwhile, the CFP committee’s new “record strength” metric adds another layer.

“If that’s going to be a real factor, then yeah, it might impact how some games are called,” said Venables. But above all, only wins will increase this team’s ranking and help it reach the playoffs.