The gap between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners in the preseason polls is HUGE
When it comes to college football, few rivalries are as storied, intense, and scrutinized as the one between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. Year after year, these two bluebloods battle for bragging rights in the Red River Rivalry, but in the lead-up to the 2025 season, the narrative has shifted dramatically—not about who will win the head-to-head, but about how far apart the two programs are perceived to be. For the first time in a long time, the gap between Texas and Oklahoma in the preseason polls is not just notable—it’s massive. This isn’t a case of one team ranked a few spots ahead of the other. It’s a chasm, a statement, a warning shot. And it has everyone in the college football world talking.
Texas, coming off an impressive 2024 campaign that ended in a narrow College Football Playoff semifinal loss, enters the season as one of the most hyped programs in the country. Ranked as high as No. 2 in some preseason polls and no lower than No. 4 in others, the Longhorns are being touted as legitimate national title contenders. The expectations are as high as they’ve been in over a decade, and with good reason. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has assembled a roster brimming with elite talent, depth, and experience. His quarterback room is as strong as any in the nation, and his defense—once considered a liability—is now seen as a formidable, disciplined, and nasty unit. This is a Texas team that has not only recovered from years of underachievement but seems poised to ascend to the mountaintop.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma finds itself in unfamiliar territory—on the outside of the elite conversation. Ranked in the mid-teens to low 20s across major polls, the Sooners are no longer viewed as one of the SEC’s upper-echelon contenders. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program that was once the dominant force in the Big 12, routinely churning out Heisman-caliber quarterbacks, winning double-digit games, and being penciled in as a playoff hopeful. Brent Venables, now entering a critical third year at the helm, faces the unenviable task of convincing both fans and national pundits that Oklahoma is not only still relevant but still dangerous.
So how did we get here? How did the Longhorns create this gap, and how did the Sooners fall into it?
It begins with recruiting and development. Texas has absolutely crushed it on the trail in recent cycles, landing top-10 classes filled with five-star talent and high-upside depth pieces. Sarkisian and his staff have prioritized trench warfare—building elite offensive and defensive lines—and the payoff is visible. The Longhorns are big, strong, and physical, traits that serve them well in the SEC and separate them from some of their more finesse-minded peers. Key returners like quarterback Quinn Ewers, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., and wide receiver Isaiah Bond provide leadership and explosiveness. And behind them is a wave of young talent—players like Arch Manning, CJ Baxter, and Johntay Cook II—ready to make an impact.
On the other side, Oklahoma’s recruiting hasn’t been poor, but it also hasn’t matched the caliber of its Red River rival. The Sooners have hit on a few big names and brought in a solid freshman class, but there’s a sense that they’re a step behind when it comes to building a roster that can go toe-to-toe with SEC heavyweights. Depth remains a concern, especially along the defensive line and in the secondary. There’s also the quarterback question. With Dillon Gabriel gone, Jackson Arnold is set to take over, and while his potential is exciting, he’s unproven on the big stage. The difference in experience between Ewers and Arnold, alone, explains part of the disparity in preseason expectations.
Another factor that contributes to the divide is performance against top-tier opponents. Texas proved last season that it could hang with, and even beat, elite teams. Their early-season road win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa sent shockwaves through the sport and announced that Texas was no longer just hype—they were real. Oklahoma, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency against top opponents. While they edged out Texas in last year’s Red River game, their performances outside of that marquee win were uneven at best. Losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State—two programs they’re supposed to beat—exposed cracks in the armor. And in the bowl game, they looked overmatched.
The gap in coaching perception also can’t be ignored. Sarkisian, once viewed as a gamble due to his checkered past and mixed results at Washington and USC, has evolved into one of the most respected offensive minds in the country. His in-game adjustments, play calling, and roster management have drawn praise from coaches across the sport. He’s no longer just the guy who worked under Nick Saban—he’s carved out his own identity. Venables, on the other hand, remains an enigma. While his defensive credentials are beyond reproach from his time at Clemson, his head coaching acumen is still under scrutiny. The Sooners under Venables have lacked the consistency and polish that fans had grown accustomed to under Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley.
Then there’s the matter of conference optics. With both Texas and Oklahoma making the leap from the Big 12 to the SEC, comparisons were inevitable. So far, Texas looks far more prepared for the physicality and depth of the SEC grind. Their success last year—particularly against Alabama—gave them credibility. Oklahoma’s transition appears rockier. They’ll be tested in ways they haven’t before, with brutal road environments and little margin for error. Pollsters have taken note, and the rankings reflect a belief that Texas is built for this new challenge, while Oklahoma is still trying to find its footing.
For fans of both programs, the preseason gap is either a source of pride or fuel for frustration. Longhorns fans have waited years to see this kind of respect, and they’re embracing the favorite role with gusto. They believe this is the year the “Texas is back” mantra becomes reality. For Sooners fans, the rankings sting. They’re not used to being this low. They’re used to being the hunted, not the hunter. The gap has sparked debates on social media, in message boards, and across talk radio. Is the separation justified? Or is it an overreaction to one strong Texas season and one shaky Oklahoma year?
Rivalries thrive on moments like this. The Red River Showdown, already circled on every calendar, now carries even more weight. If Texas wins, the preseason gap becomes affirmation. If Oklahoma pulls the upset, the gap becomes motivation fodder—and maybe a turning point. One game won’t erase the difference in rankings, but it could shift the narrative. After all, preseason polls are just projections. What happens on the field is what matters.
Still, perception does carry weight. Rankings influence early-season coverage, playoff conversations, and even recruiting momentum. If Texas starts the season strong, it could further entrench their status as an elite power. If Oklahoma falters, it could lead to uncomfortable questions about the direction of the program. The stakes are high—not just for bragging rights, but for the very identity of each school in the new SEC landscape.
In some ways, the gap between Texas and Oklahoma symbolizes a broader shift in college football. As conferences realign, NIL accelerates, and playoff formats evolve, programs are either ascending or adjusting. Texas, for now, appears to be on the rise, aligning elite talent with strong leadership and SEC readiness. Oklahoma is in a more transitional phase, trying to prove that it can still be a national power in a tougher environment. The gap in the preseason polls may be temporary—or it may signal the beginning of a new era in this rivalry.
One thing is certain: the distance between the two isn’t just a number in a ranking. It’s a challenge. It’s an opportunity. And it’s a storyline that will loom large as both teams kick off their first full seasons in the Southeastern Conference. Whether that gap widens or closes will depend not on hype or history—but on what happens between the lines. And in college football, that’s exactly how it should be.
