The Oklahoma Sooners were not included in the 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, rankings serve as a barometer for assessing the perceived strength and potential of teams. These rankings can provide insight into the direction of a program, the success of a coaching staff, and the expectations placed upon a team heading into a new season. However, rankings also bring with them pressure, scrutiny, and high expectations, particularly when programs like the Oklahoma Sooners are involved.

The 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25 preseason poll, released ahead of the upcoming season, made waves when it revealed that the Oklahoma Sooners, despite their historic success and consistent presence in college football’s upper echelons, were not included in the rankings. The omission has sparked conversations across the college football world, with fans, analysts, and pundits alike weighing in on what it means for the future of the program under head coach Brent Venables. The Sooners have long been a fixture in college football’s upper tier, with numerous Big 12 championships and College Football Playoff appearances in recent history. So, how did this once-proud program fall out of the preseason rankings for the first time in years, and what does it mean for the 2025 season?

In this essay, we will analyze the factors behind the Oklahoma Sooners’ exclusion from the 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25, explore the challenges they face moving forward, and assess what lies ahead for the program in the coming season.

The Historical Context of Oklahoma’s Football Program

Before delving into the specific reasons behind Oklahoma’s omission from the rankings, it’s important to understand the context of the Sooners’ football program. Oklahoma has long been one of college football’s most successful and storied programs. With a rich history of championships, All-American players, and Heisman Trophy winners, the Sooners have established themselves as one of the elite programs in the sport.

Under former head coach Bob Stoops, Oklahoma became synonymous with success. Stoops led the Sooners to a national championship in 2000 and consistently kept the program in the national conversation. After Stoops’ retirement in 2017, Lincoln Riley took the reins, continuing the program’s high level of success. Riley brought a high-powered offense to Norman, leading the Sooners to four College Football Playoff appearances during his tenure.

Despite the offensive prowess under Riley, the Sooners’ defense remained a point of concern throughout his tenure. This led to the hiring of Brent Venables as head coach following Riley’s departure for USC in 2022. Venables, known for his defensive expertise, inherited a program with significant talent but also a number of areas that required improvement, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Venables’ hiring was met with excitement and optimism, as many believed he could restore the Sooners’ defense to the elite level they once enjoyed during Stoops’ tenure.

However, the transition has not been as smooth as some expected. The first two seasons of Venables’ tenure have been a mix of growing pains, development, and flashes of promise. The Sooners have shown signs of improvement, but they have also faced challenges, especially in the highly competitive landscape of the Big 12 and beyond.

The State of the Program: A Transition Under Venables

While the Oklahoma Sooners have continued to recruit at a high level under Venables, the program is clearly in a period of transition. The 2025 season will be the third year of Venables’ tenure, and it is clear that he is still working to fully implement his vision for the program. Venables, known for his defensive acumen, has made strides in improving the Sooners’ defense, but the offense has shown inconsistency, particularly in the post-Lincoln Riley era.

One of the biggest questions heading into 2025 will be the performance of Oklahoma’s offense. After Riley’s departure, the Sooners have been adjusting to a more balanced approach under Venables, with a focus on both sides of the ball. Quarterback play, a cornerstone of Riley’s high-powered offense, has been an area of concern, and the team has yet to find the same level of consistency at the position. In 2024, the Sooners saw mixed results from their quarterback room, and while Venables’ defensive prowess has improved the overall balance of the team, the offense still lacks the explosiveness that made them a perennial powerhouse in the Big 12.

Moreover, the Sooners’ transition to the SEC in the near future adds another layer of complexity to their current trajectory. While Oklahoma has consistently dominated the Big 12 in recent years, the SEC presents a new level of competition. The upcoming move to the SEC has created a sense of urgency to build a team that can compete at the highest level, and Venables is tasked with making the Sooners a legitimate contender in one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

The combination of these factors—an offense still adjusting to post-Riley changes, the ongoing development of a defense under Venables, and the looming SEC transition—has led to questions about Oklahoma’s immediate future. As a result, it’s not surprising that the Sooners find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25 poll.

The Reasons Behind the Omission

Several key factors contributed to Oklahoma’s absence from the 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25, reflecting a combination of on-field issues and the broader context of the program’s transition.

1. Inconsistent Play and Underperformance: One of the most significant reasons Oklahoma was omitted from the rankings is the team’s inconsistent play in recent seasons. While the Sooners showed flashes of potential, they also faced significant challenges in 2024, especially in the Big 12. With defensive improvements still in progress and the offense struggling to find its rhythm, the Sooners’ performances have not yet matched the expectations set by the program’s history. This inconsistency has led analysts to place other teams with more stable and impressive track records ahead of Oklahoma in the rankings.
2. Quarterback Play and Offensive Inconsistencies: The quarterback position has long been a strength for Oklahoma, with stars like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts leading the offense in recent years. However, since Lincoln Riley’s departure, the Sooners have struggled to replicate that success at the position. Quarterback inconsistency in 2024—coupled with a lack of elite playmakers at the skill positions—has left Oklahoma’s offense far from the high-octane machine it once was. Until the Sooners can find consistent play at the quarterback position, their offensive struggles will continue to be a factor in why they are not considered a top-25 team.
3. Defensive Improvements and Growing Pains: Venables’ defensive schemes have shown promise, but they have not yet reached the elite level that many hoped for. While Oklahoma has recruited well on defense, the unit has had its share of growing pains, particularly in the secondary and along the defensive line. The Sooners have struggled to slow down high-powered offenses in the Big 12, and until their defense takes the next step, it remains a question mark heading into 2025.
4. SEC Transition and Future Uncertainty: The impending transition to the SEC has put extra pressure on the Sooners to build a team capable of competing in one of the most physically demanding conferences in college football. While the SEC move has undoubtedly energized the program, it also brings uncertainty. The Sooners must navigate the complexities of facing tougher competition and adjusting to a new style of play. Until Oklahoma proves it can compete consistently at the SEC level, the lack of a clear path forward for the program in this new era has contributed to their absence from the top 25.
5. Rising Competition in the Big 12 and National Landscape: The college football landscape has grown more competitive in recent years. Programs like Texas, Baylor, and Kansas State have emerged as serious contenders in the Big 12, and teams like Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama have continued to dominate nationally. As these programs rise, Oklahoma must contend with an increasingly crowded field, both in its own conference and across the country.

The Road Ahead: What Does Oklahoma’s Future Hold?

Despite the exclusion from the 2025 USA TODAY Sports Top 25, the Oklahoma Sooners are far from being in a state of irrelevance. The program remains one of the most prestigious in college football, and with the right adjustments, Oklahoma has the potential to return to its place among the elite.

The immediate focus for Venables and his staff will be to continue developing a stable offensive identity, solidifying quarterback play, and refining the defense. The Sooners have a talented roster, with some of the best recruits in the nation, and if they can capitalize on this talent and create a more balanced, cohesive team, they will be well-positioned for success in the coming years.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s move to the SEC should be viewed as an opportunity for the program to grow and challenge itself in new ways. The Sooners will face top-tier competition each week, and while this presents challenges, it also offers the chance for them to prove their mettle on the national stage.