With just a little more than a month until the 2015 season begins at home against Akron, the Oklahoma football team debuted at No. 19 in the Amway Coaches Poll released Thursday. This marks the 16th consecutive year that OU has been ranked in the top 20 in the coaches’ annual preseason rankings.
Oklahoma’s coaches poll streak began in 2000, Bob Stoops’ second year at the OU helm. The Sooners debuted at No. 20 that historic year, and went on to win the program’s seventh national title. In 11 of the last 15 years, OU has been ranked in the top five of the preseason coaches poll. The poll is voted on by a panel of 64 coaches and has been in existence since 1950.
Sooner fans have plenty to be excited about in 2015 as OU players litter the national watch-list scene. Currently, nine Sooners appear on watch lists for 22 total awards.
Additionally, the Sooners were tabbed third in the 2015 Big 12 Football Preseason Poll, voted on annually by media representatives. Oklahoma is looking to add another conference title to the league-leading eight it currently boasts. No other team in the conference has more than three.