Oklahoma Sooners Fans Upset Over On3 Insiders’ Early Rankings: A Deep Dive into the Controversy

Oklahoma Sooners fans are no strangers to high expectations. For decades, the Sooners have been one of college football’s most prestigious programs, regularly contending for national titles and producing top-tier talent. But in a recent development that has sparked intense debate among fans, On3 Insiders’ early rankings for the 2025 college football season have left many Oklahoma supporters feeling disrespected and upset. The rankings placed the Sooners lower than many anticipated, causing a ripple effect of disappointment and frustration across the Sooner Nation.

The Rankings That Started It All

On3 Insiders, a prominent recruiting and college football analysis site, released its early rankings for the 2025 season, and to the shock of many, Oklahoma was not positioned among the elite tier of programs. While teams like Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State secured their spots in the top five, Oklahoma was ranked significantly lower than expected, with some early projections placing the Sooners outside the top 10.

For a program that has historically been a college football powerhouse, consistently competing for Big 12 titles and making frequent appearances in the College Football Playoff (CFP), this was a punch to the gut for fans. The Sooners, under head coach Brent Venables, are in a rebuilding phase after a disappointing 2022 season. However, the 2023 season saw signs of improvement, and many expected that the Sooners would be back in contention for a top ranking by the 2025 season. On3 Insiders’ early rankings appeared to dismiss this progress, and the backlash was swift and vocal.

The Reaction from Oklahoma Fans

The Sooners’ fan base is one of the most passionate and loyal in college football. For them, ranking Oklahoma outside of the top 10—or even top 5—was nothing short of an affront to their rich football legacy. Many fans took to social media platforms to voice their displeasure, with hashtags like #RespectOU and #SoonersNotUnderdogs trending for days.

One of the primary points of contention was the perceived disrespect toward the Oklahoma football program’s history and tradition. Oklahoma has won seven national championships and appeared in the College Football Playoff multiple times, with recent success under former head coach Lincoln Riley. Despite Venables’ more defensive-oriented coaching style, many fans felt that the program’s history alone should place them higher in the rankings, regardless of the rebuilding phase the team was going through.

“We’ve earned our place at the table,” one fan tweeted. “It’s insulting that they’ve put us this low, even after we made strides in 2023.”

Others felt that the rankings ignored the program’s potential. While Oklahoma has been adjusting to a new coaching regime and transitioning to the SEC, many believed that the Sooners had the talent, recruiting prowess, and infrastructure to rise back to the top. The 2023 season, in particular, showed that the program was capable of competing at a high level despite the challenges. Fans argued that On3 Insiders’ rankings were premature and failed to account for the team’s trajectory.

The Rebuilding Process Under Brent Venables

To understand the outrage from Oklahoma fans, it’s important to consider the context of the program under Brent Venables. When Venables took over as head coach in 2022, it marked a new era for Oklahoma football. The team had just lost Lincoln Riley, who had helped elevate the program into a national contender, and Oklahoma fans were facing the reality of a major shift.

The 2022 season was a challenging one, with Oklahoma finishing 6-7. It was the Sooners’ worst season since 1998 and a far cry from the consistent dominance the program had enjoyed under Riley. However, Venables quickly set to work on rebuilding the team’s culture, defense, and recruiting pipeline. His defensive expertise, which had served him well as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, was expected to make a significant impact in Norman.

In 2023, the Sooners showed noticeable improvement. Oklahoma finished 10-2 during the regular season and earned a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl game, the Cotton Bowl, where they faced off against Missouri. Despite the ups and downs, the team showed resilience and potential for future growth.

Fans were optimistic that by 2025, the Sooners would be back in full swing, competing for conference titles and possibly making a return to the College Football Playoff. The 2023 season provided a strong foundation, and Oklahoma’s recruiting class for 2024 looked promising. With a roster brimming with talent, including highly regarded recruits and transfers, many believed that Venables was in the process of bringing the program back to its former glory.

A Closer Look at the Ranking Criteria

To better understand the controversy surrounding On3 Insiders’ early rankings, it’s essential to take a closer look at the methodology behind these rankings. On3 Insiders, like many recruiting and sports sites, relies on a combination of factors to assess the strength of college football programs, including recent performance, returning talent, recruiting classes, and coaching changes.

For Oklahoma, the ranking largely reflects the perception that the team is still in a rebuilding phase. Despite the promising 2023 season, the program’s struggles in 2022 and the transition to a new coaching staff were still fresh in the minds of analysts. Additionally, the Sooners’ impending move to the SEC raised questions about how they would adjust to the heightened level of competition in the conference. Some analysts have expressed concerns about how Oklahoma will fare against perennial SEC powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.

However, fans argue that these factors do not paint the full picture. While the Sooners are making the transition to the SEC, they have consistently recruited at a high level and possess an array of talent capable of competing with anyone in the country. The fan base feels that these rankings fail to account for the program’s ability to rise to the occasion, especially with the leadership of a coach like Venables.

The Role of Recruiting in Oklahoma’s Future Success

One of the bright spots for Oklahoma is its recruiting. Despite the team’s struggles in the past few years, the Sooners have remained competitive in the recruiting rankings. The 2024 class, in particular, was highly regarded, with several 5-star and 4-star prospects committing to Oklahoma. Venables and his staff have been successful in bringing in talent that fits their defensive-minded philosophy, and there’s growing optimism that this influx of young talent will bear fruit in the near future.

Oklahoma’s recruiting success is especially evident in the defensive line and linebacker positions, which are crucial to Venables’ system. The Sooners have also been aggressive in the transfer portal, bringing in players to address immediate needs and bolster depth. These factors give fans hope that the Sooners can quickly return to the elite level that On3 Insiders’ rankings seemed to overlook.

A Look at the Big 12 and the SEC Transition

Another reason Oklahoma fans are upset with the early rankings is that the Sooners’ future in the Big 12 remains uncertain. While they are still technically part of the conference for the 2025 season, the impending move to the SEC is a major factor in the program’s outlook. The SEC is widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, with juggernauts like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and others dominating the landscape.

Some analysts believe that Oklahoma’s move to the SEC could pose significant challenges in the short term, as the program adjusts to the increased level of competition. However, many Sooners fans argue that their team is more than capable of competing in the SEC, and that rankings should reflect the long-term potential of the program rather than short-term uncertainties.

The Future Outlook for Oklahoma Football

While the early rankings from On3 Insiders have upset many Oklahoma fans, it’s important to remember that rankings are fluid and subject to change. The Sooners’ performance in the 2024 season, their recruiting efforts, and their ability to adapt to the SEC will all play significant roles in shaping how they are viewed heading into the 2025 campaign.

In the meantime, Oklahoma fans are left to feel slighted by the early rankings, but many are hopeful that the Sooners will prove the doubters wrong. With a talented roster, a defensive-minded head coach, and a passionate fan base, the Sooners’ future remains bright. The rankings may not be in Oklahoma’s favor right now, but as history has shown, the Sooners are a program that is never down for long. The 2025 season could be a pivotal year, and if Oklahoma lives up to its potential, they could soon find themselves back among the nation’s elite programs—exactly where they believe they belong.