Super 16 college softball rankings: Oklahoma makes statement dominating rival Texas
Texas has an Oklahoma problem.
Then again, all of college softball might.
The four-time defending national champion Sooners made quite the statement last week, sweeping the top-ranked Longhorns and continuing an extraordinary run against Texas. Since 2015, OU softball and Texas have played 39 times. Regular season. Conference tournament. NCAA Tournament.
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The Sooners have won all but three of those games.
Yes, a 36-3 record.
This past weekend was an extension of that domination, but it was also a warning to the entire sport: The Sooners, who took over the top spot in The Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16, have grown claws.
With the departure of 10 seniors from last year's squad, this year's team was bound to have some growing pains. Even though the Sooners went through non-conference play and the first two weekends of SEC play without a loss, struggles were bound to come.
And they did. A loss at Missouri. A series loss at home to Tennessee. Another series loss, this time at Alabama.
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But the offense, problematic during most of those losses, has come alive. It scored a combined 23 runs in three games against Texas' vaunted pitching staff.
The Longhorns know firsthand how dangerous the Sooners are.
The rest of the sport might want to take note, too.
Here's a look at this week's Super 16:
More: Could OU softball play Texas at Cotton Bowl? Why Sooners coach Patty Gasso loves the idea
Oklahoma starting pitcher Kierston Deal (11) celebrates a stickeout during an NCAA softball game between Oklahoma (OU) and Texas at Love's Field in Norman. Okla., on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16
Team, Points (first-place votes) , Record through Sunday, Last week's ranking
1. Oklahoma 144 (9), 42-5, 4
2. Tennessee 124, 39-11, 3
3. Texas A&M 119, 41-8, 1
4T. Texas 107, 42-9, 2
4T. Arkansas 107, 36-10, 8
6. Oregon 95, 44-5, 6
7. Florida State 94, 42-7, 5
8. UCLA 87, 44-7, 7
9. Florida 85, 41-11, 9
10. LSU 65, 38-11, 10
11. Texas Tech 52, 39-11, 12
12. Arizona 38, 40-10, 13
13. South Carolina 29, 36-13, 11
14. Clemson 28, 41-12, 15T
15. Virginia Tech 19, 39-8, 15T
16. Alabama 13, 35-18, RV
Receiving votes: Stanford, 8, 35-10; Duke 5, 37-15; Mississippi State 4, 35-15; Ohio State 1, 41-10-1.
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Voters: Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman; Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman; Cora Hall, Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel; Eric Lopez, In The Circle; Justin McLeod, D1Softball.com; Anna Snyder, Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News; Brady Vernon, Softball America; Scott Wright, The Oklahoman.
More: OU softball ace Sam Landry receives AUSL 'Golden Ticket' ahead of Sooners game vs Texas
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Super 16 college softball rankings: OU makes statement sweeping Texas
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