With the dust settling on spring game festivities and late transfer portal additions, teams nationwide are beginning to lock in their rosters and depth charts as they barrel toward the 2024 season. The Oklahoma football program, alongside their rival Texas, will head to the SEC next season to join powerhouse Georgia and top-ranked Alabama. The Sooners finished last year strong, posting a double-digit winning season in the hyper-competitive Big 12 and posting borderline-spectacular numbers on defense. However, one national columnist still needs to see more from OU despite a solid showing in their spring game and critical additions in the transfer portal.
Andy Staples of On3 Sports released his post-spring top 25 on Tuesday, placing Oklahoma near the bottom of the list. To much of the displeasure of Oklahoma football fans, the Sooners rank just one spot in front of a post-five-win Nebraska team and behind Oklahoma State, USC, and Iowa. The Sooner faithful did not hold back when questioning Staples’ knowledge of the sport.
Andy Staples: Releases Post-Spring Top 25
On Tuesday, Andy Staples of On3 Sports posted his post-spring/portal top 25, with many fanbases feeling slighted over their rankings. However, one fanbase felt more disrespected than most: those who cheer for Oklahoma football. Staples placed the Sooners 24th before a Nebraska Cornhuskers squad that went 5-7 in 2023. However, Oklahoma Sooners fans took more insults with their team placing behind Iowa, USC, Clemson, Auburn, and N.C. State, among others.
NEW: Post-Spring/Portal College Football Top 25 via @Andy_Staples🚨
Do you agree? ⬇️https://t.co/dXsKMAy0YX pic.twitter.com/ynPDA7LeEt
— On3 (@On3sports) May 21, 2024
Oklahoma football fans remain some of the most loyal in the country, and they did not hold back when discussing a top-25 ranking unaffiliated with the College Football Playoff and AP poll.
@Andy_Staples is rent due ? Need Oklahoma clicks.
Why are we barely a Top 25 team? Does Bedenbaugh’s body of work not give him the benefit of the doubt for the OL?
Where are we severely lacking that you’re basically saying we are going to struggle in the SEC?
— KRJ (@krjarsenal08) May 21, 2024
Got OU @ 24 c’mon bro. Man I cannot wait for this season pic.twitter.com/U9mGUsTFDc
— Sooner/Cowboys (@1Cowboys4ever) May 21, 2024
OU returns their entire defense and added a few studs. And we are 24? Because of the difficult schedule?
— Jerry Coleman (@JColeman0301) May 21, 2024
OU at 24, you know this guy don’t know what he is talking about. Half of these teams won’t be ranked after week 3 lol
— Peace (@Princeo_Jmoney) May 21, 2024
https://t.co/pBnIXn0Eo5 pic.twitter.com/gDo1yOOErZ
— Jay☝️ (@unfairsports) May 21, 2024
Oklahoma Football: Entering SEC Era
After a near century of competing in the Big 12 (also known as the Big 8, Big 7, and Big 6), the Oklahoma Sooners football program will take its talents to the SEC. OU is fresh off a ten-win season, finishing the season as the 12th-ranked team in the College Football Playoff poll. After darting for the transfer portal, quarterback Dillion Gabriel has since been replaced by former five-star gunslinger Jackson Arnold. The then-true freshman threw for 563 yards, four touchdowns, and three picks playing behind Gabriel in 2023.
Meanwhile, the defense will look to continue its development under third-year head coach Brent Venables. Led by superstar linebacker Danny Stutsman, the Sooners allowed just 23.5 points per game in 2023, a touchdown less than the year prior. Oklahoma also returns star safety Billy Bowman after a six-interception campaign.
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