Where does Oklahoma land in USA TODAY Sports SEC program rankings?
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When the Oklahoma Sooners made the move to the SEC, analysts at major outlets predicted the Sooners' downfall. "The next Nebraska," they said. Two years into it, the Sooners have not only held their own in the SEC, but they've also been one of the better teams in the conference.
The 2024 season gave the doubters plenty of ammunition. Certainly, a 6-6 regular season record doesn't cut it at Oklahoma. However, with a reasonably close look at what transpired that year, one could see the issues had more to do with injuries than with talent.
With a more functional offense, since the majority of their players were healthy, the Sooners went 10-2 and earned a College Football Playoff berth. They earned wins on the road at South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama, and beat Michigan in nonconference play. Their season reminded folks of what the Sooners are capable of, even though it fell short with a let-down performance in the playoff loss to Alabama.
The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the best programs in the SEC, according to USA TODAY Sports' Blake Toppemeyer, who ranked each SEC program from 1 to 16. The Sooners came in at No. 2 behind only the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The crimson and cream have blue blood. Among SEC schools, Oklahoma trails only Alabama for all-time winning percentage. Double-digit win seasons remain the standard, although the 2000 Sooners remain OU's last national champion. Oklahoma ruled the 1950s under Bud Wilkinson, then ran back their dominance with Barry Switzer’s wishbone in the 1970s and 80s. Seven Heisman winners point to the program’s star power. – Toppmeyer, USA TODAY Sports
A pair of 6-7 seasons in the last four years can't take away from Oklahoma's standing in the college football landscape. They're one of the winningest programs in college football. They have historic and recent Heismans. They've won 50 conference championships. They have seven national championships. Eventually, that drought is going to end, and Venables has built a team capable of earning No. 8 this year.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Where does Oklahoma land in USA TODAY Sports SEC program rankings?
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