The Oklahoma Sooners have been receiving a lot of love from national and SEC analysts entering the season. Though they were 6-7 a year ago, pundits are projecting an improved season for the Sooners. Oklahoma was right outside the top 25 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but USA TODAY Sports college football writer Paul Myerburg put OU at No. 11 in his preseason 1-136 rankings for 2025.
Myerburg and college football analyst Josh Pate, who had Oklahoma at No. 10 in his preseason JP Poll, are higher on the Sooners than the consensus. There’s a lot to like, but for some, Oklahoma still has a lot to prove and the schedule is a daunting slate.
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In CBS Sports SEC season preview, the Oklahoma Sooners were chosen by Brad Crawford as the most underrated team in the league entering 2025.
Oklahoma played much of last season with the chamber half-empty, thanks to mounting injuries and a lack of confidence on both sides of the ball. Brent Venables enters his fourth season season with his back against the wall, but a revamped roster headlined by John Mateer and Jaydn Ott could spark real improvement. The schedule is daunting, and essentially making two coordinator changes is worth watching. But go ahead and buy stock in the Sooners while it’s low — this price won’t be around in October. – Crawford, CBS Sports
hey’re entering the season much healthier than they were a year ago. And that’ll matter a lot, especially along the offensive line, where the Sooners started 10 different combinations during the regular season. They’re deeper and they’re more experienced. That should bode well for offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle in his first year in Norman.
The Oklahoma Sooners were picked no higher than sixth by any of CBS Sports analysts in their predicted order of finish. So they’re still flying under the radar a bit despite the buzz surrounding quarterback John Mateer.
Finishing seventh would have the Sooners likely well within the top 25 at the end of the season and certainly playing in a bowl game.
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Though there’s optimism about the team, the Sooners are in prove-it mode entering the season. A tough week two matchup will set the stage for what should be a better year in SEC play for an Oklahoma team that went just 2-6 in league play last year.
If the offensive line comes together and puts a product on the field that resembles an Oklahoma offensive line, then the Sooners will be really good. The defense is ready to contend. The Sooners have a quarterback who can take them to the College Football Playoff or put them in position to compete for a berth in the SEC title game. Oklahoma has dynamic playmakers at running back and wide receiver.
The ingredients are all there for a successful season for the Sooners!
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners among CBS Sports most underrated SEC teams