Oklahoma Sooners takeaways from ESPN SP+ release, SEC ratings

The Oklahoma Sooners will start the 2025 season outside of the top 25 with a lot to prove. After a 6-7 season in 2024, OU will be working to restore its status as one of the preeminent programs in college football. They haven’t been to the College Football Playoff since 2019. In each of the last three seasons, they’ve been out of playoff contention entering November.

In an expanded playoff, the Sooners should be a contender every year. Much like last year, the road ahead is a tough one. The Sooners have one of the most difficult schedules in college football. Every year is different but it looks like Oklahoma will be challenged nine out of their 12 weeks.

In Bill Connelly’s first release of the SP+ rankings, the Oklahoma Sooners come in at No. 20 in the nation. Connelly takes into account returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history. The Sooners are No. 10 in the nation in ESPN’s returning production for 2025, led by an offense that is No. 6 in returning talent.

They’ve recruited well under Brent Venables, earning top 10 finishes in each of Venables’ first three seasons in Norman before landing the No. 17 class in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. But that could be reflected by the fact that they only took 18 players this cycle, including five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi.

If there’s an area that dings the Sooners the most, it’s recent history with their two 6-7 seasons in the last three years and an 0-3 bowl record.

The offense ranks No. 43 in the nation in SP+, the defense comes in at No. 14, and the Sooners special teams units come in at No. 31.

Oklahoma SP Rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners will face eight teams that rank higher in SP+ ratings. Five of those eight teams rank inside the top 10. The only games in which Oklahoma would be viewed as the SP+ favorite would be Illinois State, Temple, Kent State, and Auburn. They’ll finish the season with four games against teams ranked inside the SP+ top 10. If OU wants to make the College Football Playoff in 2025, they’ll have to have a strong finish to the season.

Here’s a look at how the Oklahoma Sooners compare to the rest of the SEC in SP+ rating and how that stacks up against returning production rankings in the conference.

SEC SP+ Rankings vs. Returning Production

Four of the top five teams in the SEC SP+ rank in the bottom five in returning production. Their recent histories of success and recruiting have them at the top of the SP+, even if they’re relying on a lot of new faces in 2025. The SEC is the only conference where every team ranks inside the top 65 overall.

The Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 all have teams outside of the top 75. The lowest ranked team in the Power Four comes out of the Big Ten with Purdue landing at No. 116, 28 spots behind No. 88 Stanford of the ACC.

When you look at Oklahoma’s schedule, here’s how their opponents break down in SP+.

Aug. 30 vs. Illinois State Redbirds

Indiana State plays their ball in the Football Championship Subdivision, so they won’t be included in Connelly’s SP+ rating system.

Sept. 6 vs. Michigan Wolverines

The first test of the season comes in week two when Oklahoma welcomes Michigan. We’ll find out a lot about the Oklahoma Sooners offense, in particular the offensive line, when it takes on the Wolverines.

Sept. 13 at Temple Owls

Yes, it’s a road game, but the Sooners should pick up a fairly easy win when they head up to Philadelphia.

Sept. 20 vs. Auburn Tigers

Turnovers killed Auburn throughout the 2024 season, can they find some stability on that front with Jackson Arnold leading the way?

Oct. 4 vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

Even with two new teams added to the FBS, Kent State comes in dead last in the SP+ ratings. Great opportunity to have everything humming ahead of the Red River Rivalry.

Oct. 11 vs. Texas Longhorns (Cotton Bowl)

Throw the records and the stats out the window. It’s Oklahoma vs. Texas in the Red River Showdown. Can Oklahoma avenge last year’s loss?

Oct. 18 at South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina is one of the buzziest teams in college football. Many are expecting them to be a playoff team and SEC title contender. However, this time last year, Shane Beamer was on the hot seat.

Oct. 25 vs. Ole Miss Rebels

According to Steven Willis of Locked On Ole Miss, the Rebels had the best roster in the SEC in 2024, and still, they missed the playoffs. They aren’t as talented on paper in 2025 after losing Jaxson Dart, Tre Harris, Walter Nolen, Princely Unmanmielen, and others to the NFL draft.

Nov. 1 at Tennessee Volunteers

I’m high on Tennessee in 2025 despite some of the key departures. It’s one of the few programs in the SEC that has the same starting quarterback returning from last year. Nico Iamaleava had a rough go of it in the College Football Playoff, but if he improves, the Volunteers will be tough.

This game doesn’t look as daunting as it might have before the Sooners 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide in Norman. Oklahoma will be better offensively and there’s a case that Alabama regresses a bit with Jalen Milroe off to the NFL.

Nov. 22 vs. Missouri Tigers

Missouri may be rated higher than Oklahoma, but the Sooners get the Tigers in Norman this year. As bad as OU was in 2024, they were a few plays away from knocking off Mizzou in Columbia at the end of last year.

LSU’s offense is No. 2 in the nation in SP+ behind only the Miami Hurricanes, who added former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal. If Garrett Nussmeier can build on what was a strong season with over 4,000 passing yards, LSU could be a playoff team and Nussmeier a Heisman candidate.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: How do the Oklahoma Sooners compare to the rest of the SEC in SP+?