Streak Snapped: Oklahoma Left Out of Preseason Coaches Poll for First Time Since 1999
August 5, 2025 — Norman, OK
For the first time in a generation, the Oklahoma Sooners football program will begin a season unranked in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll. The release of the 2025 preseason rankings earlier this week confirmed what many around the sport had feared but few expected to actually see: Oklahoma, one of the most storied programs in college football history, is not among the Top 25.
The omission marks the end of a remarkable 25-year streak of preseason Top 25 appearances, a run that stretched across multiple coaching regimes, conference titles, national championship runs, and countless All-Americans. It is a sobering sign of the transition and uncertainty that currently surrounds the Sooners as they prepare for their second season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
A Quarter Century of Consistency Ends
From Bob Stoops to Lincoln Riley, and into the Brent Venables era, Oklahoma has been a fixture in the upper echelon of college football for over two decades. The Sooners were ranked No. 19 in the 2000 preseason poll — the year Stoops led them to a national title — and haven’t missed a spot in the preseason rankings since.
During that stretch, OU claimed 14 Big 12 titles, made four appearances in the College Football Playoff, produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, and consistently sent elite talent to the NFL. Their presence near the top of the polls became as much a preseason tradition as fall camp itself.
Now, for the first time since 1999, Oklahoma enters a season on the outside looking in — and questions abound.
The SEC Adjustment
Oklahoma’s inaugural SEC campaign in 2024 was met with sky-high expectations but ultimately delivered mixed results. The Sooners finished 7–6 overall (3–5 in conference play), including a disappointing loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. The transition to college football’s toughest conference proved more difficult than fans and pundits anticipated.
The Sooners struggled against top-tier competition, dropping games to Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee — and appeared physically outmatched at times. Depth, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, emerged as a key concern as the season progressed. Injuries exposed a lack of high-level backups, and the team’s lack of identity on offense was a far cry from the explosive attacks of the Riley era.
While Brent Venables’ defense showed flashes of improvement — especially in a late-season win over South Carolina — inconsistency plagued the team. And with the SEC showing no signs of slowing down, it appears the pollsters are not convinced the Sooners are ready to compete at the highest level just yet.
A Roster in Flux
The Sooners’ offseason has been one of transition. Several key players, including quarterback Jackson Arnold, offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, and linebacker Danny Stutsman, departed for the NFL or transferred to other programs. In their place, OU has leaned heavily on the transfer portal, bringing in reinforcements on both sides of the ball.
However, the reliance on short-term fixes rather than homegrown development has raised eyebrows. While the portal brought in talent — most notably former Oregon QB Ty Thompson and linebacker Domani Jackson from USC — cohesion and chemistry remain open questions.
Moreover, recruiting has been solid but not elite by OU standards. The 2025 recruiting class ranked just outside the Top 10 nationally, signaling a dip from the consistent top-5 classes the program brought in during the Riley era.
Can Venables Reverse the Narrative?
Brent Venables, now entering his third season as head coach, faces increasing pressure. Widely regarded as a defensive mastermind during his time at Clemson, Venables has yet to fully translate that success into wins at Oklahoma. His 17–11 overall record is solid but not spectacular, and some in Norman are beginning to question whether he’s the right fit to guide the Sooners through their SEC transition.
Still, Venables has remained optimistic. In a recent media day appearance, he downplayed the importance of preseason rankings.
“Rankings don’t win football games,” he said. “What matters is how we respond, how we prepare, and what we do on the field this fall. We’ve got a lot to prove, and we embrace that challenge.”
A Path Forward
Oklahoma’s 2025 schedule doesn’t offer many favors. The Sooners open against a seasoned SMU team before jumping into a brutal SEC slate that includes games against Florida, Auburn, LSU, and archrival Texas in the Red River Rivalry. If the Sooners hope to claw their way back into the rankings, they’ll need to pull off some early statement wins.
Despite the doubts, there is still reason for hope. OU’s defensive line, anchored by sophomore standout PJ Adebawore, looks poised for a breakout year. The secondary has experience, and if new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby can unlock Thompson’s potential, the Sooners could surprise critics.
The Bigger Picture
While being left out of the preseason Coaches Poll may sting for a program accustomed to national respect, it could also serve as a turning point — a moment of reckoning and motivation. The landscape of college football is changing rapidly, and programs like Oklahoma must evolve or risk falling behind permanently.
For now, though, the streak is over. A 25-year run of national relevance has officially been interrupted.
The message is clear: Respect is no longer guaranteed — it must be earned.
And in Norman, the work to restore it begins now.
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