Oklahoma Sooners Fall to No. 18 After Ole Miss Loss in College Football Polls

The Oklahoma Sooners have experienced a significant drop in college football rankings after their recent 34-26 loss to Ole Miss, falling to No. 18 in multiple polls including the US LBM Coaches Poll, AP Poll, and USA Today Coaches Poll. Despite the setback and a 6-2 record, the Sooners still face a challenging schedule with upcoming games against ranked teams like No. 14 Tennessee and No. 4 Alabama, keeping their hopes alive for a College Football Playoff spot. The loss marked their second of the season and impacted their playoff trajectory, but a late-season rally could still position them favorably. Meanwhile, Ole Miss improved to 7-1 but dropped slightly in rankings, and the SEC remains competitive with several teams in the top 25. The Big 12 sees five teams ranked, including BYU, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Houston, and Utah, with Houston achieving its best start since joining the Big 12. Oklahoma's quarterback John Mateer, recovering from thumb surgery, will need to enhance offensive performance to capitalize on their remaining opportunities.