OU's streak ends as Big 12 preseason poll favorite
OU's streak ends as Big 12 preseason poll favorite
The Big 12's preseason football poll typically includes Oklahoma at the top. But for the first time since 2015, OU enters the season without the No. 1 label in the conference.
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📊 Preseason poll
So, this is different.
Oklahoma checked in at No. 2 in the Big 12’s preseason football poll, which was revealed on Thursday. The poll is voted on by the media, including myself, and has no real weight but it’s a fun exercise during a slow month like July.
The Sooners received 12 first-place votes, only second to Baylor, which received 17. Here is the full poll (first-place votes in parentheses):
Baylor (17), 365
Oklahoma (12), 354
Oklahoma State (9), 342
Texas (2), 289
Kansas State, 261
Iowa State (1), 180
TCU, 149
West Virginia, 147
Texas Tech, 119
Kansas, 48
A few notes:
Oklahoma isn’t ranked first in the preseason Big 12 poll for the first time since 2015. The Sooners went on to win the Big 12 championship that season — and the next five after. OU remains the betting favorite to win the conference this year.
OU won’t have to play any of the other top-5 teams in the league on the road. The Sooners will face all of Kansas State (Sept. 24), Baylor (Nov. 5) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 19) in Norman.
Defending Big 12 champion Baylor has never claimed the top spot in the preseason poll. The Bears went finished its 2021 campaign at 12-2, including a 21-7 win over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
Who tf gave Iowa State a first-place vote?
ICYMI: Thoughts on Sooners’ recruiting momentum, All-Big 12 preseason awards and Baker to Carolina
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Around campus
🏈 Team ambassadors: The Big 12 announced participants for its conference football media days, which run July 13-14. Oklahoma will be represented by first-year head coach Brent Venables, quarterback Dillon Gabriel, receiver Marvin Mims, defensive back Woodi Washington and defensive end Ethan Downs.
🏀 Welcome walk-on: OU men’s basketball coach Porter Moser made it official, the Sooners have added Wofford transfer Sam Godwin, who joins as a preferred walk-on this coming season. Godwin previously starred at Southmoore High School before signing with the Terriers in 2020. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 30 games, including 12 starts, last season.
⚾️ Bedlam flip: Oklahoma baseball landed a commitment from former Oklahoma State pitcher Kale Davis on Wednesday. Davis, a Westmoore High School product, appeared in 26 games, pitching 42 1/3 innings, and finished with 56 strikeouts and a 4.25 ERA.
🎾 Huge pickup: OU women’s tennis announced Julia Garcia Ruiz will join the program, coming off a season where the Sooners finished national runner-up. The Morelia, Michoacán, native enjoyed a decorated juniors career, including winning the singles championship at the 2017 National Olympiad.