Top-10 buzz builds: Oklahoma enters 2026 as a dark-horse national threat in early preseason polls after Indiana's national championship win over Miami
As the dust settles on the 2025 college football season, fans and analysts alike are already turning their eyes toward 2026.
For the Oklahoma Sooners, a program that has long been synonymous with offensive fireworks and championship contention, the offseason brings a mix of reflection and anticipation.
Under head coach Brent Venables, OU navigated a brutal SEC schedule to secure a playoff berth last year, largely on the strength of an elite defense. However, injuries—particularly to quarterback John Mateer—derailed what could have been a deeper run.
Now, with Mateer back and key additions through the transfer portal, the Sooners are generating buzz in way-too-early top 25 rankings from major outlets. Let's break down where Oklahoma lands across these projections and what it means for their 2026 prospects.
Starting with ESPN, where senior writer Mark Schlabach slots the Sooners at No. 12. Schlabach highlights OU's 10-win season in 2025, marking the second such campaign in three years under Venables. The offense's collapse after Mateer's broken throwing hand in Week 4 against Auburn is a focal point, but optimism abounds with his return.
Schlabach points to Mateer's Heisman-level play early in the year and praises portal additions like Virginia's leading receiver Trell Harris and Texas' big-bodied target Parker Livingstone, who averaged 17.8 yards per catch.
On the line, returning starters Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, and Eddy Pierre-Louis provide continuity. Defensively, while depth on the line took hits, the front seven remains stout, with linebacker Sullivan stepping up and a near-intact secondary.
This ranking reflects a balanced view: solid foundation, but questions linger about offensive consistency.
Yahoo! Sports' Nick Bromberg places Oklahoma slightly lower at No. 13, emphasizing a "bet on health" for Mateer. Before his injury, Mateer was "fantastic," powering an offense that complemented a defense Bromberg deems national title-worthy.
The second-half offensive woes in 2025 are attributed solely to that setback, suggesting a healthy Mateer could elevate OU back to elite status.
Bromberg's take underscores the defense's reliability—good enough to carry the team—but stresses that offensive rebound is key to climbing higher.
CBS Sports offers a more bullish outlook, ranking the Sooners at No. 10. Brandon Marcello notes how OU's defense propelled them to the playoffs, even as the offense underperformed expectations with Mateer and coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Portal wins in Harris and Livingstone are called potentially the "biggest pickups," offsetting losses at receiver. Marcello expects an improved offense alongside an "elite" defense, positioning Oklahoma as a serious contender.
This higher placement signals confidence in Venables' ability to integrate new pieces quickly.
The Athletic's Stewart Mandel is even more optimistic, pegging OU at No. 9. Mandel acknowledges the limited offense that still got them to the CFP, but pins hopes on a healthier Mateer and a dynamic receiving corps: Isaiah Sategna (965 yards in 2025), Harris (847), and Livingstone (516).
The running game is flagged as a concern, potentially a weak link.
Defensively, losing end R Mason Thomas hurts, but returnees and additions like Big Ten starter Sullivan bolster the unit. Kicker Sandell's Lou Groza Award win adds special teams stability.
Mandel's ranking suggests Oklahoma could surprise if they address ground game issues.
FOX Sports' R.J. Young ranks them at No. 14, the lowest among these outlets. Young focuses on core retentions: Mateer, Sategna, and linebacker Kip Lewis.
After enduring one of the toughest schedules in 2025, Young sees the Sooners as SEC title contenders, implying schedule relief and experience could pay dividends. This conservative spot might reflect caution about injury recovery and integration.
Finally, On3's JD PicKell ties CBS at No. 10, affirming Venables' SEC coaching prowess. The defense is "consistently elite," a dependable force in Norman.
Offensively, Mateer's health is the X-factor—when healthy, OU could "hang with anybody." PicKell calls for better run game efficiency to fuel a CFP return and dark-horse SEC bid.
Averaging these rankings puts Oklahoma around No. 11.5, firmly in the top tier but not yet in the playoff lock conversation. The consensus? Defense is the rock—top-10 scoring unit with playmakers galore.
Offense hinges on Mateer's health and portal infusions at receiver, potentially transforming a good unit into a great one. Running back concerns persist across analyses, and the offensive line's development will be crucial in the trenches-heavy SEC.
Looking ahead to 2026, Oklahoma's schedule includes familiar rivals like Texas and new SEC foes, but with a veteran core and Venables' defensive acumen, they're poised for noise.
If Mateer recaptures his early-2025 magic and the run game finds rhythm, the Sooners could exceed these projections.
For fans in Norman, this way-too-early buzz is a reminder: OU isn't rebuilding; they're reloading.
As spring practices loom, the path to Atlanta—and beyond—feels tantalizingly within reach.