Just weeks ahead of kickoff, the AP Poll has officially been released. Featuring several perennial powers such as Alabama and Ohio State at the top, a few Big 12 programs have snuck into the bottom of the rankings.
AP Rankings
1 Alabama (52)
2 Ohio State (3)
3 Florida State (4)
4 USC (2)
5 Clemson
6 Penn State
7 Oklahoma
8 Washington
9 Wisconsin
10 Oklahoma State
11 Michigan
12 Auburn
13 LSU
14 Stanford
15 Georgia
16 Louisville
17 Florida
18 Miami
19 South Florida
20 Kansas State
21 Virginia Tech
22 West Virginia
23 Texas
24 Washington State
25 Tennessee
While half of the conference finds themselves ranking inside the top 25, the battle rages on between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Primed for a showdown in early November, the two programs could easily meet again with the Big 12 reinstating a championship game. After a six year hiatus, the Big 12 Championship Game returns on December 2nd.
Regardless, the rankings will continue to shift throughout the season. However, they provide a precursor for what fans should expect from the College Football Playoff committee. With Oklahoma and Oklahoma State headlining the Big 12 this season, will one find a way into the playoff?