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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws on the run against the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws on the run against the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma Sooners

2016: 11-2, Big 12

The Oklahoma Sooners won 11 games last season, and some believed had enough talent to be included in the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook were both Heisman finalists, and fans would have loved to be treated to seeing them take on the likes of an Alabama defense. Well, Westbrook is gone to the NFL, and running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon will also need to be replaced as the Sooners head to next season.

Mayfield is back, and hopefully, he can put his off-the-field indiscretions behind him and lead this team to another double-digit win season. Mayfield is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and should have no problem putting up gaudy numbers once again in 2017. Someone will have to step into Westbrook’s role in the offense, as the team is going to have to be pass-happy until they can find their running back.

Head coach Bob Stoops did another fantastic job of recruiting, bringing in a top-10 recruiting class this offseason. There are plenty of holes to fill on this roster, but it is in no way short on talent. Oklahoma will have a tough road in 2017 if they hope to get back to the top of the Big 12, as Mayfield will be looking to go out on top in his final season with the Sooners.

The season will hit Oklahoma fast, as they have an early date at the Shoe against the Ohio State Buckeyes in September. The Sooners will also go on the road to take on Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State, so it does not get any easier after the Buckeyes. Stoops will have his team ready to play, and with a ton of good, young players on the roster, the Sooners should be one of the teams in the mix for a CFP berth at the end of the season.

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