In the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Polls for the past 25 years, where does Oklahoma stand?

The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll is one of the most influential rankings in college football, providing a snapshot of how college football coaches across the country view the top teams each season. The poll has been an essential gauge of team success since its inception in 1950, and it’s widely recognized for reflecting the overall strength of college football programs over time. Over the past 25 years, Oklahoma has consistently stood among the elite teams in college football, showcasing not only its historical dominance but also its ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the sport.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into where Oklahoma stands in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll over the past quarter-century. From national championships and conference titles to coaching changes and new-era football, Oklahoma has cemented its place as one of the top programs in college football, and the Coaches Poll is a testament to that sustained excellence.

The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll: A Snapshot

Before diving into Oklahoma’s performance, it’s important to understand the significance of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It’s a ranking determined by the votes of 65 FBS head coaches who submit ballots each week of the college football season. The poll includes rankings from the top 25 teams, and coaches vote based on their teams’ performances, matchups, and overall strength.

The poll’s structure has evolved over the years, with changes in the number of teams ranked, the implementation of the College Football Playoff (CFP), and the increased focus on rankings as a means of determining playoff positioning. Nevertheless, it has remained a crucial indicator of a team’s standing within the college football hierarchy.

Oklahoma’s Performance in the Coaches Poll: A History of Consistency

Oklahoma has consistently ranked among the top teams in the Coaches Poll over the last 25 years. The Sooners have found themselves in the top 10 on numerous occasions, achieving long stretches of success that have kept them among the most respected programs in the country. Let’s take a look at some key periods over the past 25 years and how the Sooners have performed in the Coaches Poll during those times.

The 2000s: National Championship Success and a Period of Dominance

The first decade of the 2000s was a golden era for Oklahoma football. Under head coach Bob Stoops, who took over in 1999, the Sooners became a powerhouse in college football, both in the Big 12 Conference and nationally. Oklahoma won the national championship in 2000, and Stoops’ teams regularly finished in the top 10 of the Coaches Poll.

• 2000 National Championship: In Stoops’ second season as head coach, Oklahoma went undefeated and capped off an impressive season with a victory in the BCS National Championship Game. The Sooners were ranked #1 in the Coaches Poll at the end of the season, solidifying their place as one of college football’s elite programs. Oklahoma’s defense, led by players like Roy Williams and Teddy Lehman, was key to their success, while Josh Heupel led an efficient offense.
• 2003 and 2004: Playoff Berths and Top 5 Rankings: After their national title, Oklahoma remained a fixture in the top 10. In 2003, the Sooners made it to the BCS National Championship Game again but were defeated by LSU. Despite the loss, they finished #2 in the Coaches Poll, solidifying Oklahoma’s spot as a top-tier program. The 2004 season was another strong year, with Oklahoma finishing the regular season as the #2 team in the nation before losing to USC in the Orange Bowl. Oklahoma finished 5th in the final Coaches Poll that year.
• 2007: A Return to the Top: After a few years of setbacks, including a loss in the 2004 Orange Bowl and another tough season in 2005, Oklahoma returned to the top in 2007. The Sooners finished the season at #4 in the Coaches Poll, with a dramatic comeback over Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, a loss to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl kept them out of the national title picture.

During the 2000s, Oklahoma was a consistent fixture in the top 10 of the Coaches Poll, making it clear that they were a perennial contender on the national stage. Even in years where they didn’t win the national championship, they were regularly competing for BCS bowl bids and conference titles.

The 2010s: Continued Success but a Shift in College Football’s Landscape

The 2010s saw a shift in the college football landscape. With the introduction of the College Football Playoff system and the increasing dominance of teams like Alabama and Clemson, Oklahoma’s position in the Coaches Poll was tested. However, the Sooners remained highly competitive, with continued success in the Big 12 and multiple trips to the College Football Playoff.

• 2015-2017: Back-to-Back Big 12 Championships: Under Stoops’ successor, Lincoln Riley, who took over in 2017, the Sooners found new life offensively. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was a Heisman Trophy winner in 2017 and led Oklahoma to three consecutive Big 12 championships (2015, 2016, and 2017). In 2015, Oklahoma finished at #4 in the Coaches Poll, followed by a #7 finish in 2016 and another top-10 finish in 2017. The Sooners’ high-powered offense, combined with Riley’s innovative system, kept Oklahoma among the top programs in the country, but a few losses in the College Football Playoff kept them out of the national title conversation.
• 2018-2019: Heisman, Playoffs, and Consistent Top-10 Finishes: Oklahoma remained a playoff contender under Riley, making three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff (2017, 2018, and 2019). Despite falling short of a national title, the Sooners continued to finish in the top 10 of the Coaches Poll. In 2018, Oklahoma finished #4, and in 2019, they finished #6 after another strong season that included a Heisman performance by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The 2010s were marked by high expectations, a successful offense led by elite quarterbacks, and a consistent place in the Coaches Poll’s top 10. However, the Sooners struggled to break through in the College Football Playoff and capture a national title, despite their regular-season success.

The 2020s: A Transition Period Under Venables

The 2020s brought a new era of Oklahoma football under head coach Brent Venables, who took over in 2022 after Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC. The move to the SEC, along with changes in coaching philosophy, indicated a new chapter in Oklahoma’s history.

• 2021-2022: Transition Year and Coaching Change: The Sooners were ranked in the Coaches Poll at the start of the 2021 season, but a mid-season coaching change derailed their momentum. Oklahoma finished the season ranked #14 after a strong start was followed by a rough stretch of losses. Venables’ first season in 2022 was viewed as a rebuilding year, but it marked the beginning of a new era as he sought to restore the defensive dominance he had established at Clemson.

While Oklahoma may not have been as consistently ranked near the top in these early years of the 2020s, their legacy of consistent top-tier play, especially under Stoops and Riley, continued to inform expectations moving forward.

Oklahoma’s Standings in the Coaches Poll: Statistical Breakdown

Looking at Oklahoma’s specific rankings in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll over the past 25 years, the Sooners have finished in the top 10 a remarkable number of times:

• Top 10 Finishes: Oklahoma has finished in the top 10 of the Coaches Poll 17 times in the past 25 years. This consistency speaks to their ability to remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly changing college football landscape.
• Top 5 Finishes: The Sooners have finished in the top 5 in 9 seasons over the last 25 years, with the 2000 national championship and 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2018 seasons among their most notable. These finishes have solidified Oklahoma as one of the premier programs in the country, consistently competing for major bowl games and playoff spots.
• Number 1 Ranking: Oklahoma has finished #1 in the Coaches Poll once during this time, in 2000 when they won the national championship under Bob Stoops. This remains one of the program’s crowning achievements.
• Recent Trends: Under Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma had become accustomed to finishing in the top 10, including 2020 when they finished #6. While the 2021 and 2022 seasons were transitional, Oklahoma’s upward trajectory under Venables suggests they will return to their previous standing in the Coaches Poll in the coming years.

The Future of Oklahoma Football in the Coaches Poll

As the Sooners prepare for their move to the SEC, many expect them to remain a perennial contender in the Coaches Poll. The increased competition in the SEC, however, will add new challenges. While Oklahoma has been able to maintain top rankings in the Big 12, their transition to the SEC will test their ability to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU week in and week out.