Oklahoma Sooners rank highly in Josh Pate's preseason JP Poll
Oklahoma was unranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll but was the highest ranking team among the others receiving votes category. In the AP Poll that was released on Monday, the Sooners came in at No. 18 in the nation. But there's one poll, from a prominent college football analyst, that is even higher on the Sooners than the Associated Press.
Josh Pate, of the Josh Pate College Football Show, released his preseason JP Poll, which is a power rating that compares how teams might fare if they were to face off on a neutral field. He's been high on Oklahoma all offseason, in large part due to the additions the Sooners made on the offensive side of the ball, bringing in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer.
So where do the Sooners rank in the preseason JP Poll? Let's take a look.
20. SMU Mustangs
SMU and quarterback Kevin Jennings took the ACC by storm in 2024 but lost to the deeper and more experienced Clemson team in the ACC title game before getting blown out by Penn State on the road in Happy Valley in the College Football Playoff. Jennings is back, and if he can shake off what happened to end the season, he'll be must-see television again.
19. Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson is back at the helm for the Kansas State Wildcats, who open the season vs. Iowa State in Ireland. Chris Klieman is a good coach, but the Wildcats haven't been able to win the biggest games consistently to win a conference title. Is this the year they finally break through?
18. Tennessee Volunteers
Josh Heupel has recruited well but they lost a lot of significant pieces from their playoff run a year ago led by running back Dylan Sampson and defensive end James Pierce.
17. South Carolina Gamecocks
Pate might be underrating the Gamecocks a little bit but South Carolina did lose a lot from a really good defense. LaNorris Sellers was really good in his first year at the helm for the Gamecocks but how will he respond if he's having to carry the load?
16. Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan defense will be good. The offensive line usually is too. What will the passing game look like? That's a lot of what held the Wolverines back last year. If they've improved, Michigan could be back in the Big Ten title hunt.
15. USC Trojans
For USC, it all comes down to how they hold up in the trenches. We know Lincoln Riley can scheme explosive plays but if those plays don't get time to develop, it's going to be tough sledding for the Trojans.
14. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss had one of the best rosters in the nation last year and fell short of a College Football Playoff berth due to a loss to Kentucky. They lost a lot of talent and experience from last year's squad led by quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris. Austin Simmons has a chance to be really good, but how quickly will he settle in as the starting quarterback?
13. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M will have a good defense. The offensive line and running game will be really good. If Marcel Reed has improved as a passer, the Aggies will be a problem in the SEC and on the national scene.
12. LSU Tigers
Most places consider the LSU Tigers a top 10 team in 2025. But questions around an offensive line that lost both tackles and a defense that hasn't held up their end of the bargain have some skeptical about LSU's title chances this season.
11. Miami Hurrianes
Miami underachieved relative to expectations in 2024 with Cam Ward at quarterback. It could be argued they downgraded when Ward went No. 1 in the 2025 NFL draft and they brought in former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to replace him.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Josh Pate has been bullish on the Oklahoma Sooners, mentioning they're a top 10 team regardless of their schedule. But there are only two teams on the schedule ahead of the Sooners in the JP Poll: Texas and Alabama. It could be a big year for the Sooners.
9. Florida Gators
Like Oklahoma, many point to the schedule the Florida Gators face in 2025. But this is a talented team. If D.J. Lagway can overcome the nagging injuries that have plagued him this offseason, the Gators will be a fun team to watch.
8. Clemson Tigers
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy this year after a big 2024 season. Clemson is hoping for significant improvement from the defense. If they get that the Tigers are a legit contender this season.
7. Oregon Ducks
Dan Lanning has recruited well for Oregon and they've done a good job in the transfer portal. But like so many teams in 2025, how will they fare with a first-year starter at quarterback?
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came up short in the national championship game with Riley Leonard at quarterback but are still trying to figure out who will be replacing him.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Kalen DeBoer officially named Ty Simpson as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback. With Ryan Williams to throw to, Simpson will have a shot to make his first season as a starter a memorable one.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is the only team in the top seven of the JP Poll that is returning their starting quarterback from 2024. The problem is head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar haven't found a way to come through in big games. They're a talented bunch and added defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Can they get over the hump?
3. Georgia Bulldogs
The model of consistency, Kirby Smart, is widely considered the best coach in college football. Also entering 2025 with a new starting quarterback. Smart played up Georgia's youth entering the season, but don't be fooled, they'll be a contender in the SEC.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes will have a new starting quarterback as well, but Ryan Day has never hurt for talent in Columbus. QB Julian Sayin will have an elite group of receivers to throw to. The bigger question is if the Buckeyes will suffer a drop off with the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
1. Texas Longhorns
Texas may end up with one of the best defenses in college football in 2025 and that may be enough for the Longhorns to be a title contender given everything they've turned over on the offensive side of the ball. They have a talented receiver corps and Arch Manning has big upside. If the offensive line is ready to step into the lofty shoes vacated by last year's experienced group, Texas could finish the season like they started, the No. 1 team in the nation.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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