Ronnie Perkins
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley watches his team warm up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Florida at Oklahoma 12/30/2020

Dec. 30, 2020 07:51 PM EST

FILE - Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) is sacked by Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo. Bonitto is well aware that the Sooners defense, for all the drastic improvements made over two seasons with its “Speed D” scheme, needs to prove itself outside the Big 12. After winning a sixth conference title in a row, the No. 8 Sooners (8-2) will again end the season in a New Year's Six bowl game against a high-powered SEC offense. This time they face national passing leader No. 10 Florida. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Florida-Oklahoma in Cotton Bowl dozen years after title game

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 29, 2020 03:36 PM EST

Brian and Marcia Sheriff, of Des Moines, Iowa, take a picture of themselves in the "Sky Mirror" sculpture outside AT&T Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Iowa State and Oklahoma for the Big 12 Conference championship, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma at Iowa State 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 11:53 AM EST

Oklahoma cornerback Jaden Davis (4) knocks away a pass intended for Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (9) during an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Scoreboard is lit whenever No. 13 Oklahoma plays at WVU

By John Raby Dec. 10, 2020 09:16 AM EST

West Virginia running back Leddie Brown (4) is upended by Iowa State defensive back Arnold Azunna, left, as Iowa State defensive back Greg Eisworth (12) works to finish the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 42-6. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: IU, I-State reach historic heights

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 07, 2020 02:12 AM EST

Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer is pulled down by Kansas State defensive back Wayne Jones during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune Herald via AP)
No. 13 Oklahoma looks to regain steam against Baylor

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 03, 2020 02:15 PM EST

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, center, is tackled by Iowa State defenders Mike Rose (23) and Isheem Young (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Defenses fueling run toward Big 12 championship game

By John Raby Nov. 25, 2020 01:34 PM EST

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard (30) carries past Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Rattler leads No. 18 Oklahoma past No. 14 Oklahoma St 41-13

By Cliff Brunt Nov. 21, 2020 11:22 PM EST

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, left, talks with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy before an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 07:25 PM EST

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) carries for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
QBs hold keys in Oklahoma-Oklahoma State rivalry game

By Cliff Brunt Nov. 19, 2020 01:45 PM EST

Oklahoma's Bryan Mead (38) tackles Kansas' Kenny Logan Jr. (1) on a kick return during an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Rhamondre Stevenson helps No. 19 Oklahoma rout Kansas 62-9

By Cliff Brunt Nov. 07, 2020 07:44 PM EST

Kansas State wide receiver Chabastin Taylor (13) is tackled by Oklahoma State cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse (24) while catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Oklahoma State at Kansas State 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 05:21 PM EST

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler looks for an open receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mark Rogers)
No. 19 Oklahoma looks to stay in range of Big 12 leaders

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 05:44 PM EST

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) returns an interception for a touchdown against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Clemson, Alabama close to rare tie

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 02, 2020 12:35 AM EST

Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson steps out of bounds under pressure from Texas Tech linebacker Kosi Eldridge during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas.(AP Photo/Mark Rogers)
Rhamondre Stevenson has 3 TDs in return for No. 24 Oklahoma

Oct. 31, 2020 11:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Tanner Mordecai (15) throws in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota, in Norman, Okla. Mordecai is competing with Spencer Rattler for the starting spot. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Spencer Rattler named starting QB for No. 5 Oklahoma

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 01, 2020 06:25 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray (9) celebrates a tackle during an NCAA college football game against TCU in Norman, Okla. Major improvements on defense have pushed Oklahoma and Baylor into the Big 12 championship game. Oklahoma led the Big 12 in total defense during conference play after finishing last a season ago. Baylor led the Big 12 in scoring defense and ranked third in total defense in league play a year after finishing seventh in total defense and eighth in scoring defense.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Sooners count on experience, speed to handle LSU's offense

By George Henry Dec. 25, 2019 08:12 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, works against Florida Atlantic during an NCAA football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State said, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, the NCAA has concluded that star DE Chase Young must sit out one more football game before he can return. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Playoff matchups: OU slowdown vs LSU; Clemson keys on Young

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 24, 2019 09:51 AM EST