Oklahoma Sooners No. 9 in preseason AP Top 25
The Oklahoma Sooners are 19 days away from opening the season against the UTEP Miners, marking Brent Venables’ debut as OU’s head coach.
The time for talk is nearly over. Oklahoma will soon get to prove just what they’re made of on the football field.
Despite the turnover and the disappointing end to the 2021 season, Oklahoma still received a lot of respect from the pollsters. A week after landing at No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, Oklahoma comes in at No. 9 in the preseason AP Top 25.
Once again, the Sooners are the highest-ranked Big 12 team, coming in one spot ahead of the reigning Big 12 champion Baylor Bears. Oklahoma State comes in at No. 12, and that’s it for the Big 12. No other team made the AP Top 25.
Alabama leads the way at No. 1 with 54 first-place votes. Ohio State is No. 2, and Georgia is No. 3.
The SEC leads the way with six teams inside the top 25, followed by the ACC with five.
Here’s a look at the rest of the AP Top 25.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban talks with quarterback Bryce Young (9) against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 13-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 1
For more coverage on the Alabama Crimson Tide, check out Roll Tide Wire.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Nov 6, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks to throw a pass during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 2
For more coverage on the Ohio State Buckeyes, check out Buckeyes Wire.
Georgia Bulldogs
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs fans celebrate with Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) after defeating Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 14-1
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 3
For more coverage on the Georgia Bulldogs, check out UGA Wire.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5), left, and quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) fade back to pass during practice in Clemson Friday, August 12, 2022. Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
2021 Record: 10-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 4
For more on the Clemson Tigers, check out Clemson Wire.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Apr 23, 2022; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman watches warmups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 5
For more coverage on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, check out Fighting Irish Wire.
Texas A&M Aggies
Nov 6, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies fans celebrate an Aggies score against the Auburn Tigers in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 20 to 3. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 8-4
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 7
For more Texas A&M Aggies coverage, check out Aggies Wire.
Utah Utes
Dec 3, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) scores on a 2-yard touchdown run against the Oregon Ducks in the second half during the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game at Allegiant Stadium.Utah defeated Oregon 38-10. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-4
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 8
Michigan Wolverines
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A Michigan Wolverines fan reacts during the third quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 12-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 6
For more coverage on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Wolverines Wire.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables applauds during the NCAA college football team’s practice Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Norman, Okla. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
2021 Record: 11-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 9
Baylor Bears
WACO, TX – NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Dave Aranda of the Baylor Bears watches his team play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at McLane Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Waco, Texas. Baylor won 27-14. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
2021 Record: 12-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 10
Oregon Ducks
Nov 27, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks fans sing during a time out during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won 38-29. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-4
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 12
For more coverage on the Oregon Ducks, visit Ducks Wire.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Oklahoma State Cowboys helmet during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 12-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 11
NC State Wolfpack
Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Emeka Emezie (86) is greeted by teammate Porter Rooks (4) after scoring the game-winning touchdown during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 34-30. Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 9-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 13
USC Trojans
Apr 23, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws the ball during the spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 4-8
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 15
For more coverage on the USC Trojans, visit Trojans Wire.
Michigan State Spartans
Oct 30, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans fans celebrate after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 14
For more coverage on the Michigan State Spartans, visit Spartans Wire.
Miami Hurricanes
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 07: New Head Coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes speaks with the media during a press conference introducing him at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at University of Miami on December 07, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Cristobal becomes the 26th head football coach in the program’s history. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
2021 Record: 7-5
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 17
Pitt Panthers
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi on the sideline against the Michigan State Spartans in the first quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 16
Wisconsin Badgers
Dec 7, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers fans react to a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 9-4
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 20
Arkansas Razorbacks
Sep 11, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back AJ Green (0) rushes for a touchdown in the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 40-21. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 9-4
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 23
For more coverage on the Arkansas Razorbacks, check out Razorbacks Wire.
Kentucky Wildcats
UK head football coach Mark Stoops talked about his team’s prospects for the upcoming season during a Media Day event at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Aug. 3, 2022. Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
2021 Record: 10-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 21
Ole Miss Rebels
FILE – Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin walks to the podium before speaking during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Day on July 18, 2022, in Atlanta. Kiffin has picked up two dozen players from the transfer portal, including quarterback contender Jaxson Dart from USC. It was the No. 2-rated transfer class, according to 247Sports. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
2021 Record: 10-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 24
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) hurdles Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Joe Lusardi (37) during the second quarter Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced each other in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
2021 Record: 11-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 19
Cincinnati Bearcats
Sep 4, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jadon Thompson (20) makes a catch against Miami (Oh) Redhawks defensive back Ja’don Rucker-Furlow (24) in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 13-1
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 22
Houston Cougars
Nov 6, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen reads a playcard during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 12-2
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: 25
BYU Cougars
Dec 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; BYU Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (33) and BYU Cougars defensive back Ammon Hannemann (22) react after a defensive stop during the second half against the UAB Blazers during the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-3
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: Unranked
Others Receiving Votes
Tennessee 180, Texas 164, Iowa 163, Penn State 160, LSU 55, Fresno State 32, Minnesota 31, UCF 27, Purdue 17, Mississippi State 15, Auburn 15, Kansas State 14, Florida 14, North Carolina 9, Boise State 5, Air Force 4, Appalachian State 4, UCLA 2, San Diego State 2, South Carolina 2, Utah State 2, Nebraska 1
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