The 2025 college football preseason buzz has officially erupted with the release of the US LBM Coaches Poll, a ranking that traditionally offers a reliable snapshot of national expectations and elite status heading into the fall. However, this year’s installment delivered a shockwave that’s rippling through Norman and beyond: Oklahoma was left off the list. For a program so deeply woven into the fabric of college football history—boasting seven national championships, a parade of Heisman winners, and a legacy built on consistency—being excluded from the Coaches Poll is more than just a slight. It’s a thunderous snub that has ignited conversations, debates, and questions about what the Sooners have to do to earn respect in this rapidly evolving college football landscape.
At face value, Oklahoma’s omission from the top 25 appears mystifying. The Sooners finished the previous season with a respectable 10-3 record, punctuated by a thrilling bowl victory and several marquee wins over ranked opponents. They also return a strong core of players, including a veteran quarterback with NFL potential, a deep receiving corps, and a rebuilt defense that showed dramatic improvements under second-year coordinator Ted Roof. Combine that with the pedigree of head coach Brent Venables, a respected defensive architect and a proven winner, and the decision to exclude Oklahoma raises eyebrows even among neutral fans.
Much of the criticism has to do with the programs that did make the cut. Teams like Kansas State, Utah, and North Carolina—while solid in their own right—don’t necessarily boast the depth, experience, or upward trajectory that Oklahoma appears to possess entering the 2025 campaign. Even programs that barely eked out bowl eligibility last season were given the nod over the Sooners, making it clear that this wasn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about perception, narratives, and in some cases, recency bias. Oklahoma’s three losses last season, including a disappointing defeat to Texas in the Red River Rivalry and a late-season stumble against Iowa State, seem to have lingered in the minds of voters more than their accomplishments.
To many in the Sooner community, the snub feels personal. Fans, players, and alumni have taken to social media to express their outrage, disbelief, and motivation. Star wide receiver Jalen Harrison tweeted shortly after the poll dropped, “They forgot about us. That’s cool. We’ll remind ‘em soon enough.” Quarterback Mason Ray, who is entering his junior year with significant expectations, posted an Instagram story of him working out in the gym with the caption, “#25inMyHeart.” These aren’t just hollow statements. They reflect a locker room and a program that feel disrespected and are prepared to channel that emotion into performance.
But beyond the emotional reactions, there’s a deeper narrative at play here. The exclusion of Oklahoma from the Coaches Poll highlights a growing shift in college football’s power dynamics. With the recent expansion of the Big Ten and SEC, realignment has blurred traditional lines and reshaped what it means to be “elite.” Oklahoma, transitioning fully into the SEC starting this season, is entering a new chapter of competition. That leap, while exciting, also carries uncertainty. Voters may be hedging against the Sooners due to their unproven track record in a tougher conference, even though their roster appears tailored for success. In other words, the Coaches Poll may be projecting doubt about Oklahoma’s ability to immediately compete with the Alabamas and Georgias of the world, regardless of how unfair that may seem.
Another factor possibly influencing the snub is recruiting and development cycles. While Oklahoma has secured top-10 recruiting classes over the last three years, many of those players are just now stepping into prominent roles. Analysts might be taking a “wait and see” approach, choosing to reward teams with more upperclassmen leadership or who had more consistent late-season performances. However, that logic falters when confronted with the sheer talent on Oklahoma’s roster. Five-star athletes like defensive end DeMarco Daniels and freshman phenom cornerback Elijah Ware are game-changers, and combined with seasoned veterans like offensive tackle Marcus Fennel and linebacker Will Spears, there’s no shortage of star power or leadership.
The decision also seems to disregard coaching stability and institutional support. Brent Venables, now entering his third year, has had time to fully implement his defensive philosophies while also overseeing a more balanced and physical offensive identity. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s exit last season raised concerns, but his replacement—former Kentucky play-caller Liam Coen—brings a pro-style polish that has already shown promise in spring practices. The coaching staff, bolstered by strong recruiting and development departments, is positioned as one of the best in the SEC. Yet voters appear to have discounted that continuity, opting instead to overvalue offseason hype elsewhere.
Critics might argue that preseason polls are ultimately meaningless—that the games will decide everything. While that’s true in theory, the reality is that early-season rankings set the tone for national perception. Being ranked gives teams greater media exposure, strengthens the résumé of every win, and enhances College Football Playoff positioning. In the current system, where style points and national narrative matter nearly as much as win-loss records, being excluded from the initial rankings means a team must fight harder for every ounce of recognition. For Oklahoma, it sets up a steeper hill to climb—not impossible, but undoubtedly frustrating.
There’s also a recruiting impact to consider. Prospective athletes pay attention to polls. A top-25 ranking can be a subtle yet powerful affirmation of a program’s direction. When blue-chip recruits see their favorite team omitted despite a strong roster and history, it can raise questions. Oklahoma’s coaches will now need to go into living rooms and assure families that the snub is not indicative of the program’s future—just a temporary oversight by those outside the locker room. The irony, of course, is that Oklahoma has historically been the very definition of consistency, making this moment even more jarring.
Still, the Sooners now have something they haven’t had in years: an underdog narrative. The chip on the shoulder is real. This isn’t the swagger of being preseason No. 4 or riding a wave of Heisman hype. This is a team staring down doubt from national voices, a team being told it’s not quite good enough—despite all evidence to the contrary. In a strange way, that might be exactly what Oklahoma needs. Great programs, after all, are often forged not in times of comfort but in seasons of challenge and adversity. Being disrespected can unite a locker room like few things can.
There’s historical precedent, too. In 2000, Oklahoma began the season outside the top 10 and went on to win the national championship under Bob Stoops. That team, like this one, was overlooked early and gained momentum with each passing week. They used the doubt as fuel, playing with a level of intensity and execution that caught the nation off guard. While duplicating that run is easier said than done, the current team has the tools to turn the narrative in its favor. A quick start to the season, especially against SEC competition, could force the pollsters to correct their mistake in dramatic fashion.
In the meantime, the Sooners’ snub has become the talk of sports radio and college football forums. Pundits who specialize in SEC coverage have been particularly vocal, with some calling the omission “inexcusable” and others labeling it “the bulletin board material Oklahoma didn’t know they needed.” The irony is that some of the same voters who ignored Oklahoma in this poll will be the ones praising their resilience if the team storms out to a 5-0 start. It’s a fickle cycle, but it’s also the reality of modern college football.
What remains now is the response. Not from fans or media—but from the players and coaches. How will they channel this snub? Will it become a rallying cry or a distraction? Brent Venables has made it clear in the past that he thrives on proving people wrong. His Clemson defenses were often overlooked before dominating the national stage. Now, he has a similar opportunity in Norman. The players, too, are in control of the narrative. Every snap, every quarter, every game offers a chance to turn snub into statement.
So as the 2025 season inches closer, Oklahoma’s absence from the Coaches Poll looms large—not just as a slight, but as a spark. Whether it becomes the fire that powers a resurgence or merely a footnote in an up-and-down campaign will be determined on the field. But one thing is certain: the college football world may have overlooked Oklahoma, but the Sooners haven’t overlooked themselves. And come September, the rest of the nation may be reminded of just how dangerous a doubted blueblood can be.
