ESPN released their preseason College Football Power Rankings on Monday, and the Sooners come in at No. 3. As I said with OU’s No. 3 ranking in the Amway Coaches Poll, this is the appropriate spot for the Sooners. They have no business being ahead of Bama or Clemson, but deserve to be ranked ahead of everyone else. None of this matters, or course, but it shows that the national perception of the program has recovered since this time last year.
The rankings are based on a combination of the Football Power Index (which I don’t think anyone truly understands) and ESPN’s pundits.
Preseason Power Rankings
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) August 15, 2016
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. FSU
5. LSU
6. Ohio St
7. Stanford
8. Michigan
9. Tennessee
10. Notre Dame
Per ESPN:
Bad puns aside, the OU preview section includes analysis from Brad Edwards and Phil Steele as well as a win probability for each game this season.
Other Links
- Tim Keown of the ESPN The Magazine has written a phenomenal piece on Baker Mayfield that every OU fan should read.
- Texas’ Jerrod Heard is supposedly thriving at receiver after a move from QB. We all know he has some wheels.
- According to Joey Helmer at 247, Mykel Jones has returned to practice after missing a few last week with an injury.
- Derek Peterson of the OU daily has written a nice piece on walk-on receiver Nick Basquine and his battle for playing time this season.