Joel Klatt has the Oklahoma Sooners starting the 2026 season inside the top 10, slotting them at No. 9 in his preseason top 25 and fourth among SEC teams.
That ranking puts Oklahoma behind Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Indiana, Georgia, Texas and LSU, but ahead of Michigan at No. 10. Klatt’s list also includes three Big Ten teams in the top five and no SEC teams there.
Klatt’s case for the Sooners starts with John Mateer.
"John Mateer is healthy, and when Mateer is healthy, he's one of the better players in the country. The problem with Oklahoma last year was that it couldn't run the football, and when you can't run the football, you can't protect your quarterback. Mateer can't do everything, as he physically broke down after carrying Oklahoma's offense in the opening weeks of the season."
Oklahoma has spent the offseason trying to take some of that burden off Mateer by becoming more efficient on the ground. That improvement is central to the Sooners’ hopes on offense, especially after last season’s imbalance.
Klatt also pointed to Brent Venables’ defense as a major reason for optimism.
"This is a team that plays great defense under Brent Venables. That was one of the best defenses in college football, but the offense was woefully short of that standard due to the Sooners' inability to run the football. If I'm an OU fan, I'm wondering if we can finally marry an elite defensive unit with an offense that can be at least OK."
The Sooners are also staring at another demanding schedule, one that ranks among the toughest in the country for the third straight year. Oklahoma is leaning into that challenge with Venables’ "no excuses" approach, and how it handles that slate will go a long way toward defining the season in Norman.
Klatt’s full top 25 had Oregon at No. 1, followed by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami and Indiana. Georgia checked in at No.
6, Texas at No. 7 and LSU at No. 8.
After Oklahoma and Michigan, the rest of the list featured Texas Tech, USC, Texas A&M, BYU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Penn State, SMU, Louisville, Washington, Houston, Iowa, Tennessee, Arizona and Oklahoma State.
In Other News...
Oklahomas Backfield Concern Is Getting Harder To Ignore
Oklahoma spent a full-pads practice session at the OU Rugby Field trying to keep camp moving, even with a few players working through injuries and others in limited or no-contact roles. The setting still had the feel of a typical August tune-up, with coaches active across drills and new tight ends coach Jason Witten right in the middle of things, stressing technique and effort while the Sooners pushed through the day.
The more revealing part came in the backfield, where the running back group did not look fully settled physically. Sophomore Tory Blaylock dressed out but did not take part at full speed for much of practice, and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. appeared to be in a similar spot, leaving Oklahoma with another reminder that the position remains worth watching closely as camp continues. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Is Suddenly In The Middle Of A Massive Recruiting Battle
Oklahomas recruiting staff is spending real time on Jalanie George, one of the top EDGE prospects in the 2026 cycle, and the timing matters. The Sooners are looking to keep building up a defensive front that can carry them into the seasons ahead, so a player with Georges profile naturally rises to the top of the board when the calendar starts closing in on a decision.
Recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong has noted that Oklahoma is making a strong late push in Georges recruitment, which is exactly the kind of momentum program followers want to hear about this time of year. Even with the finish line nearing, the race around a player like George can shift quickly, and for the Sooners this is the kind of battle that can change the shape of a class if it breaks their way. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Running Back Battle Could Shape The Sooners 2026 Ceiling
Oklahomas push to raise its 2026 ceiling starts with a backfield that is still sorting itself out in fall camp. Under running backs coach Deland McCullough, the Sooners are working through a room that mixes familiar names and fresh arrivals, with returning runners Raleek Robinson and Eric Blaylock alongside transfer Jerrion Avant and freshmen Jalen Hatton and Jayden Walker.
It is the kind of position battle that can quietly shape an offense long before September arrives. Oklahoma knows it needs more production on the ground, and the camp evaluation now becomes about more than depth - it is about which combination gives the Sooners the best chance to find consistency when the games begin. [Read more 🡒]