Oklahoma Sooners news: First CFP rankings, Sandell honored and more

First CFP rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners came in at No. 12 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2025 that were released Tuesday evening. The Sooners were one spot behind rival Texas, but fans were most outraged about being below Notre Dame, which also has two losses but a much softer schedule.

However, even though the Sooners got the 12th spot, that doesn't mean they would be in the 12-team field based on these rankings if the season ended today. The five highest-ranked conference champions earn a spot in the playoff, so with two more conference representatives getting bumped inside the field despite a lower ranking, OU and Texas would be left out. That means the Sooners still have work to do with three games left.

Tate Sandell honored

OU kicker Tate Sandell had a historical performance in the Sooners' 33-27 win over Tennessee on Saturday, and he's still getting recognized for it.

Pete Nakos of On3 on Tuesday deemed Sandell the Week 10 most impactful Transfer Portal player. The rest of the list included quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and linebackers. Sandell got to OU from UTSA this spring and has been maybe the Sooners' most vital transfer addition from the spring.

Sandell was also named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week and Lou Groza Award Star of the Week.

OU basketball season starts with a pair of wins

College basketball season tipped off with a doubleheader at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday evening and a pair of victories.

First, the No. 6 OU women beat Belmont 84-67. Senior center Raegan Beers led the Sooners with 29 points and 10 rebounds to post a double-double in the season opener. Freshman phenom Aaliyah Chavez also impressed in her college debut with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, a block and a team-high three steals.

The OU men handled St. Francis 102-66 in the second game of the night. Redshirt freshman forward Kuol Atak came off the bench and led the Sooners with 18 points in his collegiate debut.