College football rankings: Preseason top 25 – Clemson at No. 1, SEC owns half of top 10

4. Oklahoma Sooners

Heisman Trophy winner, Heisman Trophy winner, Heisman Trophy finalist — those are what Oklahoma has had in each of the last three seasons, respectively, at quarterback under Lincoln Riley with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts. But now comes something we’ve not seen from the offensive guru in Norman: how he’ll coach a young non-transfer quarterback and what success he’ll have in doing so.

To be sure, the quarterback in question has plenty of pedigree in his own right. Spencer Rattler is the presumed starter for Oklahoma, a former 5-star recruit who might be the best pure passer that Riley has coached in terms of raw talent. However, he has no experience to speak of, so if he can live up the billing as a recent OU quarterback is fair to question.

The Sooners have a terrific offensive line, headlined by center Creed Humphrey. And Kennedy Brooks is back to lead the backfield, though losing Trey Sermon to transfer hurts. On offense, the big key will be Charleston Rambo, UCLA transfer Theo Howard and a talented tight end group stepping up after CeeDee Lamb’s departure and Jadon Haselwood’s season-ending injury.

Defense, however, has been the bugaboo holding the Sooners back from truly competing for National Championships. Alex Grinch has improved the unit but they only had one way to go. Losing linebacker Caleb Kelly to injury won’t help either as they also have to replace Kenneth Murray at that position in addition to cornerback Parnell Motley.

Rattler appears capable of keeping Oklahoma as an offensive juggernaut and the favorites in the Big 12. But with the hope for titles always present in Norman, how a new-look defense performs will be in full focus.