Oklahoma is ranked No. 9 in Josh Pate's preseason Commissioner's Poll. The Sooners are looking forward to the 2026 college football season with high expectations following their recent playoff appearance.
Key points
Oklahoma ranks No. 9 in Josh Pate's Commissioner's Poll
Expectations are high for the 2026 college football season
John Mateer returns as quarterback
Isaiah Sategna is a key wide receiver
Oklahoma had a strong defense ranked No. 6
Mentioned in this story
Josh PateJohn MateerIsaiah Sategna
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma ranks No. 9 in Josh Pate's Commissioner's Poll
With spring football finished now across all of FBS and the college baseball season nearing a close to the regular season, it's fair to start looking forward to the fall and the 2026 college football season.
Expectations at Oklahoma are high after the Sooners went to the expanded College Football Playoff for the first time last season. The return of John Mateer at quarterback, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and a good chunk of starters on the No. 6 defense in the sport has OU faithful excited about what comes next.
On Monday morning, Josh Pate released his preseason Commissioner's Poll that provided more reason for Oklahoma fans to feel good. The Sooners ranked at No. 9.
Three other Southeastern Conference teams were ahead: Texas at No. 3, Georgia at No. 7 and Ole Miss at No. 8. Another five SEC schools also cracked that Top 25 as Texas A&M rounded at the top 10, LSU and Alabama checked in back-to-back at No. 12 and No. 13, while Florida and Missouri ranked No. 21 and No. 23, respectively. Oklahoma plays six of those teams during the regular season, plus must travel to Ann Arbor to face , which ranked No. 15 in the poll.
Q&A
What is Josh Pate's Commissioner's Poll ranking for Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is ranked No. 9 in Josh Pate's Commissioner's Poll.
Why are expectations high for Oklahoma in the 2026 college football season?
Expectations are high due to the return of key players like quarterback John Mateer and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, along with a strong defense.
When did Oklahoma last participate in the College Football Playoff?
Oklahoma made its first appearance in the expanded College Football Playoff last season.
What factors contribute to Oklahoma's preseason ranking?
Factors include the return of experienced players and the performance of their defense, which ranked No. 6 in the sport.
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That means opportunity abounds for the Sooners to make good on the promise as they'll have plenty of chances to showcase against some of the best teams in FBS. Besides the trip to Michigan, Oklahoma's games against Georgia, Florida and Missouri also come on the road. OU has never faced the Gators in a regular season game and has only played Georgia once, ever - back in 2017's Rose Bowl.
The Sooners will kick off their season Sept. 5 at home against Texas-El Paso.
Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels (5) hits Michigan's Justice Haynes (22) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines at the Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) and linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrate after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) during the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jay Lindsey (88) against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates after a play during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) tackles Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) reacts during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) reacts during the second half against the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates a safety against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates a sack of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
1 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels (5) hits Michigan's Justice Haynes (22) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines at the Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
1 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels (5) hits Michigan's Justice Haynes (22) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines at the Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
2 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) and linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrate after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.
3 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) during the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
4 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jay Lindsey (88) against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
5 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates after a play during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.
6 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) tackles Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
7 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) reacts during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
8 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) reacts during the second half against the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
9 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates a safety against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
10 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates a sack of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
11 / 11
Photos of Kendal Daniels with the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
