“Sooners Surge into SEC Elite: Oklahoma Lands at No. 6 in USA TODAY Sports Power Rankings Ahead of Debut Season”
The anticipation surrounding the Oklahoma Sooners’ move to the SEC has been building for years, and now, as the 2025 college football season draws near, the expectations have crystallized into something concrete: a No. 6 ranking in USA TODAY Sports’ SEC Power Rankings. For a program steeped in tradition, championships, and offensive firepower, this ranking is not merely a number—it’s a statement. It’s a message to the rest of the Southeastern Conference that Oklahoma is not here to blend in. They’re here to contend.
The SEC is widely regarded as the pinnacle of college football, a league where national championships are not hoped for—they’re demanded. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and others have created a ferocious competitive environment, one where dominance is both celebrated and short-lived without consistency. For Oklahoma, entering this league is both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s a chance to prove they can match their legacy with present-day excellence on the sport’s most unforgiving stage. That’s precisely why landing at No. 6 in the Power Rankings matters—it validates what the program believes about itself: that it belongs among the elite.
This ranking is no fluke. Brent Venables has been building toward this moment since taking over the program. After a shaky first season, Venables’ impact has become increasingly visible. The Sooners have made major strides on the defensive side of the ball, an area that often haunted them in their Big 12 tenure. With a philosophy rooted in aggression, discipline, and speed, Venables has slowly but surely started to mold the Sooners into a team that can hang with the rugged, trench-dominated squads that populate the SEC. That transformation is essential, because unlike the Big 12, where finesse and offensive fireworks often ruled the day, the SEC demands physicality, depth, and toughness across all four quarters.
Offensively, Oklahoma remains as dangerous as ever. Even with key departures to the NFL, the Sooners have reloaded with a mix of returning talent and elite recruits. The quarterback room remains a source of confidence, and the system continues to produce points at a staggering pace. What separates this Oklahoma team from past iterations, however, is balance. No longer will the Sooners rely solely on outscoring opponents in shootouts. Now, they’re equipped to win ugly if needed. They can take the air out of the ball, control the tempo, and impose their will at the line of scrimmage—traits that will be essential as they square off against the likes of Georgia and Alabama.
Recruiting has also played a massive role in Oklahoma’s readiness for the SEC leap. The Sooners have recruited at a top-10 level in recent cycles, including high-profile commitments from across the country. These aren’t just talented players—they’re the kind of athletes and difference-makers who traditionally land at SEC powerhouses. In years past, Oklahoma often had to punch up against more physically dominant rosters in the postseason. That gap is closing, if it hasn’t already closed. The SEC demands depth, especially in the trenches, and Oklahoma’s staff has clearly understood that. The recruiting focus on defensive linemen, linebackers, and elite secondary talent shows a program preparing for the grind that comes with life in the SEC.
Another factor that makes this ranking so significant is the timing. This isn’t an end-of-season nod after a surprise run. This is a preseason power ranking from a major national outlet, USA TODAY Sports, and it carries weight because it’s based on expectations, talent evaluations, coaching stability, and trajectory. Being ranked No. 6 means Oklahoma is viewed as a team that could shake up the SEC from day one. It’s not just about beating the teams they’re “supposed” to beat—it’s about knocking off traditional powers, making playoff noise, and potentially winning the league. In that regard, the ranking is both recognition and challenge. It acknowledges Oklahoma’s place among the top contenders, but it also puts a target squarely on their backs.
One thing that sets Oklahoma apart from other programs making similar transitions is the culture and fanbase. The Sooners are no strangers to the spotlight. They’ve been in the national championship conversation for decades, and the expectations in Norman are sky-high every year. Moving to the SEC hasn’t changed that—it’s enhanced it. The fans want to see their team not just compete, but dominate. They want to walk into Athens, Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge, and Gainesville and come away with victories. They want SEC respect, and that respect will be earned, not given. The USA TODAY ranking suggests the respect is beginning to form, but the real proof will come on the field.
Schedule-wise, Oklahoma faces a gauntlet in 2025, as expected in the SEC. Road trips to places like Alabama and LSU, combined with brutal home matchups against teams like Tennessee and Ole Miss, will test the Sooners’ mettle week after week. There are no true breathers in the SEC, no weekends where a team can coast. That’s why depth is so important. That’s why coaching matters more than ever. And that’s why Venables’ SEC background—having spent years under Dabo Swinney at Clemson battling SEC teams in the postseason—matters. He knows what it takes to win at this level, and he’s instilling that same urgency and preparation into his team.
The transfer portal, too, has played a key role in Oklahoma’s preparedness. While some teams have struggled to balance high school recruiting with portal acquisitions, the Sooners have struck a solid balance. They’ve added battle-tested players who can contribute immediately, particularly in the secondary and offensive line. These are plug-and-play additions who won’t need years of development—they’re ready now. That’s critical for a team about to navigate the deepest conference in college football. Injuries and attrition are inevitable, so having reliable backups and experienced leaders ready to step in is a must.
There’s also a psychological component to the ranking that can’t be overlooked. For years, the narrative was that Oklahoma, while elite in the Big 12, wasn’t built for the SEC. That they were too soft, too one-dimensional, or too reliant on offensive gimmicks. This No. 6 ranking turns that narrative on its head. It’s a direct rebuke to the doubters who said Oklahoma would get buried in the SEC. Instead, they’re walking into the league not as an underdog, but as a respected contender. That mental edge—knowing they’re no longer looking up at the rest of the league—could be invaluable when the games start.
The coaching staff deserves enormous credit for orchestrating this transition. Beyond Venables, Oklahoma has assembled one of the most cohesive and innovative staffs in the country. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby (if he remains in 2025 or a successor of similar pedigree) has kept the offensive philosophy dynamic, while defensive assistants have completely reshaped that side of the ball. Strength and conditioning, player development, and nutrition have all been upgraded in anticipation of the SEC move. This wasn’t a haphazard transition—it was years in the making, and it shows.
Player leadership will also be a defining element of Oklahoma’s SEC debut. Veterans who’ve been through Big 12 wars now get the chance to lead their team into a new chapter. Their experience, both on the field and in the locker room, will be vital in navigating the inevitable adversity. When the Sooners go down 14-0 on the road in front of 90,000 hostile fans, it will be the seniors and captains who steady the ship. That kind of leadership often separates good teams from great ones.
Media coverage surrounding the ranking has been largely positive. Analysts have praised Oklahoma’s recruiting, defensive improvements, and readiness for the SEC challenge. There’s a growing consensus that the Sooners will not just survive the transition but could thrive in it. That’s a huge turnaround from the skepticism that initially greeted the move years ago. It’s a testament to the work that’s been done behind the scenes to modernize and elevate the program.
Still, rankings are just paper until the whistle blows. Oklahoma knows this. They know that being No. 6 means little if they don’t execute. Every week in the SEC will bring a new test, and if they let up even slightly, they’ll be punished. That’s the reality of the league. But it’s also what makes the ranking so meaningful—it reflects a belief that Oklahoma is ready to meet those challenges head-on. That they’ve done enough work, recruited enough talent, and developed enough toughness to be taken seriously from day one.
The move to the SEC represents a new frontier for Oklahoma football. It’s a chance to redefine their identity not just as a dominant team, but as a complete one. It’s a chance to prove that they can win the biggest games, in the toughest environments, against the best opponents. Being ranked No. 6 is more than a preseason accolade—it’s a declaration that the Sooners are already part of the SEC’s elite, even before they’ve played a down in the league. And if the early signs are any indication, Oklahoma isn’t content with being near the top. They’re aiming for the summit.
In the end, that’s what the move to the SEC was all about. Not just more money, not just better exposure, but the opportunity to prove they belong on the same level as the best programs in the sport. The No. 6 ranking is a powerful start to that journey—and if the Sooners have their way, it’s only the beginning.
