Oklahoma included in ESPN’s 2023 preseason power rankings
ESPN released their preseason power rankings for 2023 along with “realistic best and worst case scenarios” for each team.
In ESPN’s estimation, the best-case scenario is for the Oklahoma Sooners to claim another Big 12 title on their way out the door. If the defense shows significant improvement, Oklahoma will be back on track after a substandard 2022.
If the defense doesn’t improve and the Sooners struggle in key matchups with Texas, Oklahoma State, and TCU, then questions will get louder about Brent Venables and OU’s future.
Here’s a look at ESPN’s preseason power rankings. compared to where they landed in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the AP Top 25, and Sooners Wire’s preseason power rankings.
Tulane Green Wave
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 23
Associated Press Top 25: 24
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: Unranked
The school that added a little more misery to USC’s 2022 season, the Tulane Green Wave get the last spot in ESPN’s power rankings. With Michael Pratt back at quarterback and a wide open AAC, the Green Wave have a chance to make some playoff noise if they can get by Ole Miss early in the season.
Texas A&M Aggies
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 25
Associated Press Top 25: 23
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: Unranked
If ever there was a year for Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies to make some noise in the SEC, it’s this year. Although they’ve had great recruiting success, that has yet to yield on-field results for Texas A&M.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 24
Associated Press Top 25: Unranked
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 24
A lot of folks are expecting big things for Texas Tech in year two under Joey McGuire. But, like Oklahoma, they’ve got questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball. Big 12 title contention is not unreasonable after a strong 2022 season.
Oklahoma Sooners
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 19
Associated Press Top 25: 20
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 21
The Oklahoma Sooners have a lot to prove in 2023, particularly on the defensive side of the football. If they can take a significant step in the right direction this year, OU will be back in Big 12 title contention in its final year in the conference.
Ole Miss Rebels
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 22
Associated Press Top 25: 22
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 25
The additions of wide receiver transfers Tre Harris and Zakhari Franklin should help Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense take off. But will it be enough to earn a berth in the SEC title game?
Wisconsin Badgers
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 21
Associated Press Top 25: 19
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 17
Tanner Mordecai takes the reins for Luke Fickell and the Badgers. If he can turn in similar production to his time at SMU, the Wisconsin offense is going to take on a whole new look.
North Carolina Tar Heels
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 20
Associated Press Top 25: 21
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 20
The ACC is getting tougher as Florida State makes moves toward the top. Can the Tar Heels get back into the ACC title game in what is most likely Drake Maye’s final season?
Oregon State Beavers
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 18
Associated Press Top 25: 18
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 19
Oregon State is one of the more underrated teams in the nation heading into 2023. They had a strong season a year ago and look poised to play spoiler in the Pac-12. Can they make a run?
Kansas State Wildcats
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 17
Associated Press Top 25: 16
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 16
There’s a pretty strong consensus here. Did Kansas State lose key pieces from last year’s Big 12 title squad? Sure. But they also return one of the best quarterbacks from a year ago. They have a legit shot to repeat as Big 12 champions and assert themselves as the conference’s new power.
TCU Horned Frogs
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 16
Associated Press Top 25: 17
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 23
We’re significantly lower on the TCU Horned Frogs ahead of the 2023 season. They lost a lot of talent from their miracle run from a year ago. Yes, Chandler Morris is a capable quarterback, but there was just something different about what Max Duggan did a year ago. It’s also going to be tough to replace Kendre Miller and Quentin Johnston.
Oregon Ducks
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 15
Associated Press Top 25: 15
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 13
Bo Nix breakout season in 2022 and Dan Lanning have us a little bit higher on Oregon than the national publications. If Nix can continue his high level of play from last year, the Ducks will be a problem in the Pac-12.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 13
Associated Press Top 25: 13
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 11
There’s not much differing opinion on the Fighting Irish after a strong end to the 2022 season. Armed with Sam Hartman at quarterback, Notre Dame is looking to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020.
Utah Utes
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll:
Associated Press Top 25:
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings:
Games against Florida, Baylor, USC, Oregon, Washington, and Oregon State will tell the tale of the Utah Utes season. They’re as capable as any team in the Pac-12, but that’s a daunting slate.
Washington Huskies
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 11
Associated Press Top 25: 10
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 14
Washington has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Michael Penix, but the Pac-12 is loaded with strong quarterback play in 2023. They were a good team in 2022 and now they’re looking to get into the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee Volunteers
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 10
Associated Press Top 25: 12
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 12
The name of the game for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers is figuring out a way to improve their defense. The offense will be great, but the defense has to hold up their end of the bargain for the Vols to become national title contenders.
Texas Longhorns
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 12
Associated Press Top 25: 11
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 15
ESPN is the highest of the rankings listed and yeah, we’re the lowest, but it’s only because we’ve seen this song and dance before. Texas has a lot to prove. Though they were better in year two under Steve Sarkisian, they still won just eight games.
Clemson Tigers
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 9
Associated Press Top 25: 9
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 4
We may be higher on Clemson to start the season than the national polls and power rankings, but that comes from seeing Dabo Swinney reach the pinnacle of the sport twice in the last decade. Improved, and more consistent quarterback play should help the Tigers return to the national title picture.
Penn State Nittany Lions
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 7
Associated Press Top 25: 7
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 9
We’re slightly lower than the national publications are on Penn State, but they’re a team that could make some noise. Drew Allar returns, and they added a premium wide receiver in transfer Dante Cephas. If they can avoid the upset and knock off Michigan or Ohio State, they’ll be in a position to make a run at the national title behind one of the best offensive lines in college football.
Florida State Seminoles
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 8
Associated Press Top 25: 8
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 7
There may be no team as intriguing as Florida State heading into 2023. A strong season in 2022 could be the springboard for a run to the College Football Playoff behind an experienced quarterback in Jordan Travis
USC Trojans
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 6
Associated Press Top 25: 6
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 5
We’re a bit higher on the USC Trojans than the national publications simply because of Caleb Williams. They have a tough schedule. If they can win the Pac-12 with one loss or fewer, they’ll be in the College Football Playoff.
LSU Tigers
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 5
Associated Press Top 25: 5
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 8
The LSU Tigers are an intriguing team to keep an eye on. They have a fantastic defense and a quarterback that could be one of the best in the nation in Jayden Daniels. But with a neutral site clash with Florida State and a road trip to Tuscaloosa, the road to the playoff will be daunting.
Alabama Crimson Tide
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll:
Associated Press Top 25:
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings:
The polls are split on Ohio State and Alabama for the three and four spots. Both are dealing with quarterback turnover, but we’re putting a bit more faith in Nick Saban to have his team ready to contend despite the loss of Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
Ohio State Buckeyes
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 4
Associated Press Top 25: 3
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 6
Of the teams at the top dealing with a quarterback change, the Buckeyes are among the best situated with Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka at wide receiver.
Michigan Wolverines
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 2
Associated Press Top 25: 2
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 2
The Michigan Wolverines are the unanimous No. 2 team in the country. Strong in the trenches and with a veteran signal caller in J.J. McCarthy Michigan may be the team to end Kirby Smart’s reign of terror.
Georgia Bulldogs
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: 1
Associated Press Top 25: 1
Sooners Wire Preseason Power Rankings: 1
Georgia is the champs till they are the champs no more. Can anyone dethrone the Bulldogs?
