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The Oklahoma Sooners will start the 2025 season outside of the top 25 with a lot to prove. After a 6-7 season in 2024, OU will be working to restore its status as one of the preeminent programs in college football. They haven’t been to the College Football Playoff since 2019. In each of the last three seasons, they’ve been out of playoff contention entering November.
In an expanded playoff, the Sooners should be a contender every year. Much like last year, the road ahead is a tough one. The Sooners have one of the most difficult schedules in college football. Every year is different but it looks like Oklahoma will be challenged nine out of their 12 weeks.
In Bill Connelly’s first release of the SP+ rankings, the Oklahoma Sooners come in at No. 20 in the nation. Connelly takes into account returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history. The Sooners are No. 10 in the nation in ESPN’s returning production for 2025, led by an offense that is No. 6 in returning talent.
They’ve recruited well under Brent Venables, earning top 10 finishes in each of Venables’ first three seasons in Norman before landing the No. 17 class in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. But that could be reflected by the fact that they only took 18 players this cycle, including five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi.
If there’s an area that dings the Sooners the most, it’s recent history with their two 6-7 seasons in the last three years and an 0-3 bowl record.
The offense ranks No. 43 in the nation in SP+, the defense comes in at No. 14, and the Sooners special teams units come in at No. 31.
Oklahoma SP Rankings
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables celebrates with fans after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/oklahoma-sooners-takeaways-espn-sp-233835528.html
Author : Sooners Wire
Publish date : 2025-02-27 23:38:00
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