The first college football Coaches Poll of the 2024 season was revealed today, and the SEC, including newcomers Oklahoma and Texas, is well represented among the nation’s top-25 programs.
The Sooners are rated No. 16. That’s good news. Unfortunately, seven SEC teams are ranked higher than Oklahoma. This includes top-ranked Georgia, which garnered 47 of the 55 first-place votes from a nationwide panel of head coaches.
The SEC has the most teams in the top 25, with nine. The Big Ten came next, with six teams represented.
Three SEC teams are ranked in the top five. Texas is ranked fourth, after No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, and Alabama. Ole Miss is ranked sixth, following Alabama. Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida State complete the top ten in that order.
Missouri and LSU, both from the SEC, are ranked 11th and 12th in the inaugural Coaches Poll for the 2024 season, respectively, with Tennessee at No. 15 just ahead of the Sooners. The only other SEC team in the top 25 is Texas A&M, which is ranked 20.
Five Big 12 teams are placed in the top 25, with Utah, which is in its first season as a Big 12 member, being the only conference team ranked higher than previous Big 12 member Oklahoma. Kansas State is ranked No. 17, Oklahoma State No. 18, and Arizona No. 21.
The Sooners face a formidable challenge — or, if you’re Brent Venables, an opportunity — as they play six of the seven SEC teams ranked ahead of them during the 2024 season (two at home, three on the road, and Texas on a neutral field in the annual Red River Rivalry game in Dallas).