Nikolas Bonitto
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

FILE - Baylor coach Dave Aranda watches from the sideline during the team's NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Waco, Texas, Nov. 13, 2021. Aranda got 15 of the 20 votes for coach of the year in balloting for The Associated Press' All-Big 12 team and awards. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin, File)
Cyclones RB Hall, Bears' Aranda, Pitre win AP Big 12 honors

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 09, 2021 11:51 AM EST

Iowa state coach Matt Campbell reacts after watching a fumble playback during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
Championship November: 3 teams chasing Sooners in Big 12

By John Raby Nov. 02, 2021 03:50 PM EDT

Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) tackles Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn (22) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 in Manhattan, Kan. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Oklahoma at Kansas State 10/2/2021

Oct. 05, 2021 06:23 PM EDT

Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) tackles Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn (22) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 in Manhattan, Kan. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Oklahoma's defense flourishes under coordinator Alex Grinch

By Cliff Brunt Oct. 05, 2021 06:22 PM EDT

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman taps the helmet of offensive lineman Noah Johnson (69) before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 2 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
DLS at Wagner 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 03:31 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) grabs the face mask of Nebraska cornerback Quinton Newsome (6) as he carries in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
No. 4 Oklahoma, West Virginia will meet to open Big 12 play

By The Associated Press Sep. 23, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) grabs the face mask of Nebraska cornerback Quinton Newsome (6) as he carries in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
No. 4 Oklahoma opens Big 12 play vs. West Virginia

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 23, 2021 03:10 AM EDT

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, left, talks with Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, right, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Nebraska at Oklahoma 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 11:43 AM EDT

Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) escapes a tackle from Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
No. 2 Oklahoma's defense struggles against Tulane

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 05, 2021 10:12 AM EDT

Tulane linebacker Nick Anderson (1) celebrates after his team recovered an onside kick late in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
No. 2 Oklahoma holds off Tulane 40-35 to avoid big upset

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 04, 2021 04:04 PM EDT

Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) runs against Oklahoma during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma at Tulane 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 02:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2020, file photo, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, left, celebrates with quarterback Spencer Rattler after Rattler ran for a touchdown against Florida during the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Riley understands why there’s so much buzz surrounding his second-ranked Sooners. He just doesn’t care. Oklahoma’s high-powered offense returns Rattler and plenty of other talent from a 9-2 squad. That’s why the Sooners have the program’s highest preseason ranking since 2011. Now, it’s time to play. Oklahoma hosts Tulane on Saturday in a season-opening contest that was moved from New Orleans because of Hurricane Ida. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
No. 2 Oklahoma hosts Tulane in game moved for Hurricane Ida

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 02, 2021 01:17 PM EDT

FILE - Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Iowa State for the Big 12 Conference championship, in Arlington, Texas, in this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo. Rattler was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team offense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Awkward future for Big 12 even with Oklahoma favored again

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 27, 2021 03:10 AM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Iowa State, Notre Dame highlight AP preseason All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 23, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Most of the top college football players who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic decided to leave school and launch their pro careers. But plenty of other players who opted out of last season chose to continue their college careers either at their original school or opted to transfer. The list of notable players back this season after opting out last year features two-time, 1,000-yard rusher Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
No. 2 Oklahoma focused on short-term ahead of move to SEC

By Cliff Brunt Aug. 20, 2021 12:24 PM EDT

AP Top 25: Quick look at rankings from Alabama to Arizona St

By The Associated Press Aug. 16, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
AP preseason Top 25 capsules: —- No. 1 ALABAMA Coach: Nick Saban, 15th season. ...

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 - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) tosses the ball during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Norman, Okla. Rattler, a redshirt freshman, was an All Big 12 first-team pick and shared newcomer of the year honors with West Virginia senior linebacker Tony Fields II, a transfer from Arizona. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
AP All-Big 12: Iowa State players and coach win top awards

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 24, 2020 12:09 PM EST