Oklahoma Sooner Fans Are UPSET According to On3 Insiders’ Early Rankings

As college football fans continue to turn their attention toward the future, the annual “Way-Too-Early” rankings have become a staple of the offseason conversation. These rankings, compiled by a mix of media outlets, experts, and analysts, give a premature glimpse at the state of college football heading into the next season. One program that has stirred significant conversation and some upset reactions from its fanbase is the Oklahoma Sooners. According to On3 Insiders’ early rankings for the 2025 college football season, the Sooners are not where many expected them to be, and their positioning has left fans questioning what it means for the future of the program.

For Oklahoma, a program with a rich history of success and national prominence, the expectations heading into each season are always high. Historically, the Sooners have been a fixture in college football’s elite, regularly competing for Big 12 titles and College Football Playoff (CFP) berths. However, the 2024 season was a bumpy one for the Sooners, and the early rankings for 2025 suggest that their road to recovery may not be as straightforward as fans hope. With the program coming off an underwhelming season and facing several challenges in the coming years, many Oklahoma fans are feeling uneasy, if not upset, by their team’s placement in these early rankings.

This article delves into why Oklahoma fans are upset about their ranking in On3 Insiders’ early rankings and what it means for the program moving forward. We’ll explore the reasons behind the disappointment, the factors influencing the rankings, and what it will take for the Sooners to rise back to the top.

1. Oklahoma’s Ranking in On3 Insiders’ Early Rankings

In On3 Insiders’ early rankings for the 2025 college football season, Oklahoma is positioned outside of the top 10, placing somewhere in the range of No. 12 to No. 15, depending on the source and specific ranking. For a program that has consistently been a national contender and one that boasts a proud football tradition, this positioning comes as a shock to many. While the Sooners are certainly not ranked in the “also receiving votes” category, their mid-tier ranking represents a departure from the elite status that has long been associated with Oklahoma football.

Oklahoma’s placement outside of the top 10 seems especially striking when comparing it to the rankings of other prominent programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State. These teams are typically at the forefront of national conversations, with their programs being regularly placed among the best in the country, and Oklahoma’s inability to break into that upper echelon has fueled some dissatisfaction among Sooner fans.

2. Why Are Oklahoma Fans Upset?

There are several reasons why the Oklahoma fanbase is upset about their team’s ranking in On3’s early projections. These reasons center on the perceived disrespect of the program’s legacy, the team’s underwhelming 2024 campaign, and the expectations for a rapid return to national relevance.

2.1. Disrespect to Oklahoma’s Legacy

Oklahoma football has a long and storied history. The Sooners are a perennial power in the Big 12 and have produced a series of legendary players, coaches, and national championships. From the iconic Barry Switzer-led teams of the 1980s to the dominance of Bob Stoops in the 2000s, Oklahoma has been one of college football’s most consistent programs.

For many Sooner fans, the team’s placement outside of the top 10 in On3’s rankings feels like a disregard for this tradition. Oklahoma fans take immense pride in their program’s success and expect their team to be regularly recognized as one of the nation’s elite, even in years when they may not have the most stacked roster or the highest-profile recruits. The notion that their program is now considered only a fringe top-15 team by some experts feels like a slap in the face to the long history of success and excellence that Oklahoma has cultivated.

2.2. Underwhelming 2024 Season

While Oklahoma has been a mainstay in the top ranks of college football for many years, their 2024 season was a disappointment. After a highly anticipated year following the departure of former head coach Lincoln Riley and the arrival of Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s performance on the field did not meet expectations. The Sooners finished the season with a lackluster record, failing to compete for a Big 12 title and falling short in key games that would have helped solidify their place in the CFP conversation.

Despite an offseason full of optimism and roster changes, Oklahoma showed its vulnerabilities throughout the 2024 season. There were issues on both sides of the ball, particularly with defensive consistency and the development of the quarterback position. In games against rivals and other highly-ranked opponents, the Sooners struggled to execute in critical moments. This underperformance led to a tumble in the rankings and left many fans feeling frustrated that the program could not meet the lofty expectations set for it.

The inability to compete for a Big 12 championship or secure a spot in a major bowl game was particularly disheartening for Sooner fans, who are used to seeing their team among the top contenders in the conference and the national scene. The frustrations of the 2024 season are part of the reason why Oklahoma finds itself in a mid-tier position in these early rankings.

2.3. Concerns About Program Trajectory

Another source of concern for Oklahoma fans is the trajectory of the program under head coach Brent Venables. While Venables came to Oklahoma with a stellar reputation as a defensive mastermind, his first season in charge has been met with mixed results. Many believed that the Sooners would be back to their dominant selves quickly under his leadership, but there has been a noticeable lack of the expected progress.

Defensive struggles have been one of the biggest issues for Oklahoma, as the Sooners’ once-elite defense has failed to consistently perform at a high level. Venables’ defensive philosophy has yet to fully take hold, and the team has been plagued by lapses in execution and missed opportunities on that side of the ball. Fans, who have long enjoyed Oklahoma’s offensive fireworks, have found the lack of defensive discipline frustrating. With Venables still working to establish a cohesive program, questions loom over whether he can get Oklahoma back to championship contention.

2.4. The Strength of the Big 12 and the College Football Landscape

Additionally, Oklahoma’s ranking is influenced by the strength of the Big 12 and the broader college football landscape. With teams like Texas and Kansas State rising in prominence, Oklahoma now faces stiffer competition within its own conference. The Big 12’s increasing competitiveness has made it more difficult for Oklahoma to maintain its usual dominance, and the Sooners’ struggles to rise above these other programs have left fans frustrated.

Furthermore, the increasing dominance of programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State in the national spotlight has pushed Oklahoma even further from the top. These programs are operating at a level that seems out of reach for Oklahoma at the moment. Until the Sooners can consistently perform at the highest level and compete for national titles, they will remain on the outside looking in when it comes to rankings and CFP contention.

3. What Oklahoma Needs to Do to Improve Its Ranking

While Oklahoma’s ranking in On3’s early 2025 rankings may be disappointing for fans, the Sooners are not without hope. There are several key areas where the team can improve in order to move up the rankings and reassert itself as a top contender.

3.1. Defensive Improvement Under Venables

Brent Venables’ defense was expected to be a hallmark of his coaching tenure, but the reality has been far from expectations. To become a top-tier team again, Oklahoma will need to make significant strides defensively. This includes better tackling, discipline, and the ability to create turnovers. Venables must develop the young talent on the defensive side of the ball and get them to buy into his system. If he can do that, Oklahoma’s defense could become a formidable force in the Big 12 and on the national stage.

3.2. Development of the Quarterback Position

Oklahoma’s quarterback play has been inconsistent, and it has been a point of concern for the program. The Sooners need to find a stable and effective quarterback who can lead the offense to success. With top recruits coming into the fold, the team must develop its quarterback talent quickly to become more competitive in big games. Whether it’s through the growth of their current quarterbacks or the addition of a transfer, finding the right signal-caller will be critical for Oklahoma’s success moving forward.

3.3. Adjusting to the Competitive Nature of the SEC

Oklahoma’s move to the SEC will add another layer of difficulty to their path to success. The Sooners must adapt quickly to the intensity and competition of the SEC, where every game is a challenge. This adjustment will take time, and Oklahoma must be prepared for the increased level of talent and the elevated stakes that come with playing in one of the most competitive conferences in college football.