SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, have become the unofficial kickoff of the college football calendar, drawing coaches, players and analysts together to preview the upcoming season and generate early buzz for the months ahead.
Oklahoma’s preseason pedigree
USA Today’s latest top‑25 assessment places the Oklahoma Sooners at No. 8 among the nation’s best college football programs, a spot that reflects both historic dominance and recent resurgence.
The Sooners open their 2026 campaign at home against UTEP on Friday, September 4, a game that will test the team’s readiness for a schedule many expect to be among the toughest in the nation.
Oklahoma’s all‑time winning percentage trails only Alabama, underscoring a century‑long tradition of excellence, while the program has produced seven Heisman Trophy winners, a testament to its ability to develop star talent.
A crowded top‑10 landscape
The USA Today ranking’s top ten also features Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan, Miami and USC, illustrating the depth of competition across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.
With ten SEC teams, nine Big Ten programs, four ACC schools and a single Big 12 representative in the list, the conference’s influence remains a dominant force in national conversations.
Looking ahead
As the season draws nearer, the Sooners will lean on the experience of past coaches such as Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer, whose legacies continue to shape recruiting and development strategies.