Oklahoma football: Sooners continue climb in both major weekly polls

The 2023 edition of Oklahoma football will begin the Big 12 portion of the schedule as the No. 14 team in the Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25.

The Sooners, 3-0 to start the season, have moved from No. 19 in the Coaches Poll to start the season to No. 14 in Week 4, and from No. 20 in the Associated Press poll to No. 16 this week.

There was no change this week in the first eight spots in the Coaches Poll. The same eight teams occupy the first eight spots in the Associated Press poll, although in slightly different order. For example, Texas is up to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 but holds at No. 6 in the Coaches Poll.

Georgia and Michigan remain No. 1 and No. 2 in both polls.

Oklahoma and Texas are the only Big 12 teams that remain in the top 25 this week, which is somewhat ironic in that both teams are in their final season as members of the Big 12 before moving to the SEC to begin the 2024 season.

Kansas State, a 30-27 loser to Missouri on Saturday on a 61-yard field goal as time expired, dropped out of the rankings after sitting at No. 15 in both polls a week ago.

Alabama continues its free fall, dropping to No. 13 this week in the AP, despite a 17-3 win over South Alabama, and to No. 12 in the Coaches Poll. The biggest mover from week to week, however, was Tennessee, coached by Josh Heupel, former OU quarterback and offensive coordinator. The Vols fell from No. 11 to No. 23 in the AP poll after losing 29-16 at Florida and are No. 20 in the Coaches Poll, dropping 11 spots.

Oklahoma plays at Cincinnati, one of four new teams in the Big 12, on Saturday.