Every SEC matchup ahead for Oklahoma just turned into a top-25 war

The SEC doesn’t just mean more for the Oklahoma Sooners, it means all. 

The Sooners jumped five spots from No. 18 to No. 13 in the newest AP Top 25 that was released on Sunday after Week 2 of the 2025 college football season. OU also continues to get disrespected in the Coaches Poll, moving up eight spots, but still outside the top 15 at No. 16. 

OU experienced an uptick in rankings after handling then-No. 15 Michigan 24-13 on Saturday night in Norman. The Wolverines dropped to No. 22 after the loss. 

The movement in the latest rankings also solidified the Sooners’ schedule as one of the most difficult in the country. Based on the Week 3 AP Top 25, every SEC team ahead on OU’s conference slate is now ranked. 

Every SEC team on Sooners' schedule ranked in AP Top 25

Last week, Auburn and Missouri joined nonconference opponents Temple and Kent State as unranked squads left on OU’s schedule. But after 2-0 starts, both Tigers debuted in the AP Top 25 this week. 

Just inside the top 25 at No. 25, it’s a long shot for Missouri to still be ranked when it travels to Oklahoma on Nov. 22. The Tigers have to take on four ranked opponents between now and then. 

No. 24 Auburn, though, will host South Alabama this week before likely getting to Norman on Sept. 20 undefeated and maybe even in the top 20. 

After Auburn, the Sooners get a bye week and a breezy matchup with Kent State before playing No. 7 Texas in the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 11 in Dallas. As long as they avoid an upset to Auburn, the Sooners should go into that rivalry game at 5-0 to set up one of the biggest games in college football this year. 

That trip to Dallas starts a murder’s row of six ranked opponents in a row for the Sooners. Based on the current rankings, OU won’t face an unranked team again this regular season after Kent State on Oct. 4. And if the Sooners remain a College Football Playoff contender, it could be until 2026 when they play an unranked opponent again. 

After Texas, OU’s schedule includes at No. 11 South Carolina, No. 17 Ole Miss, at No. 15 Tennessee, at No. 19 Alabama, No. 25 Missouri and No. 3 LSU. Texas and Alabama are the only teams that have suffered a loss so far. 

The Sooners made it obvious in their win against Michigan that they’re head and shoulders above what they were last season. However, considering what’s ahead, that doesn’t guarantee a much prettier record. But that also means the Sooners can suffer a few blows before getting knocked out as heavyweight contenders. 

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