College Football preseason AP Poll 2017: 5 teams ranked too low

Oklahoma Sooners

AP Top 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 7

Bob Stoops retired, and though the Sooners will certainly miss the future Hall of Famer and the consistency he brought the program, Oklahoma is the clear favorite to win the Big 12, giving them the inside track to a College Football Playoff spot.

The offense shouldn’t miss a beat under new head coach Lincoln Riley, who served as the offensive coordinator during the last two seasons. Quarterback Baker Mayfield – back for his third year as the starter – has been outstanding under Riley’s direction. Last season, Mayfield completed 70.9 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards and 40 touchdowns and only eight interceptions while leading the Sooners to an 11-2 overall record, which included a perfect 9-0 record in conference play and a 10-game winning streak.

Mayfield lost some of his top playmakers from last season, notably leading receiver DeDe Westbrook, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, and running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, both of whom ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored double-digit touchdowns last season. However, there is still plenty of talent in Norman, including arguably the top tight end in the country, Mark Andrews, and Kentucky transfer Jeff Badet, who can have a big impact at receiver. Plus, Oklahoma has the benefit of one of the best offensive lines in the nation to build around.

The Sooners are also strong defensively. Statistics can be skewed in the Big 12, and though OU ranked among the bottom 20 in FBS in pass defense, the Sooners have one of the most talented defensive backfields in the conference.