Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma top SEC in USA Today power rankings

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Even the national media thinks Oklahoma football is a national championship contender.

No, the Sooners aren't ranked in the top three or four in the country in any of the too-early preseason (it's still, really, the offseason) polls and prognostications. But regular spots in the top 10 exist. Plus, OU plays in the SEC now, where any team rated that highly will get every opportunity to move up, given their competition.

So a standing at No. 3 in the SEC power rankings at this point – as the Sooners found themselves in Paul Myerberg's power poll for USA TODAY – is a strong sign. The Sooners are a team to watch after taking a leap into the playoff last season.

"Having already turned the defense into one of the league’s best," Myerberg wrote, "Brent Venables now looks for similar growth from an offense that brings back senior quarterback John Mateer and added receiver transfers Trell Harris (Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (Texas) to join established starter Isaiah Sategna III."

Mateer was a Heisman Trophy favorite early in the 2025 season before an injury and the tightening schedule slowed his production in the second half. With more weapons outside and a bit more from his running backs, it isn't out of the realm of possibility to think Oklahoma's offense could be a top 30 unit this year.

Whether that's enough for them to leapfrog Texas and Georgia, the two teams rated ahead in Myerberg's poll will play out in the fall. OU made the College Football Playoff last year with the Bulldogs while Texas was left out despite beating the Sooners in the regular season.

Alabama, Texas A&M and Ole Miss rank No. 4, 5 and 6 in the poll. All three of those teams made the Playoff last year, as well. The Sooners will play the Bulldogs, Longhorns, Aggies and Rebels in the 2026 regular season.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma No. 3 in SEC power rankings from USA TODAY

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