RESPECTED: Oklahoma Sooners Surge—Josh Pate’s Power Poll IGNITES Top 10 Ranking CONVERSATION

Oklahoma Sooners surge into the national spotlight as preseason polls show renewed respect—are they primed for another playoff run? John Williams and Jay Smith debate how the Sooners’ improved schedule, continuity under Brent Venables, and breakout potential from stars like PJ Adeboware and Peyton Bowen shape the team’s title hopes in 2026. The hosts break down key shifts in the SEC landscape, discuss the significance of the Georgia matchup, and analyze why top-10 rankings for Oklahoma feel justified after a gritty SEC campaign. Roster depth becomes the focus as the duo examines the 2023 recruiting class’s opportunity to follow the 2022 group’s impactful legacy, highlighting emerging names such as Jacoby Johnson and Taylor Wein. With linebacker questions looming, will the Sooners’ defensive newcomers step up amid ongoing NCAA eligibility drama for Owen Heinecke? Get expert insights and bold predictions on Oklahoma’s quest for gridiron dominance. RESPECTED: Oklahoma Sooners Surge—Josh Pate’s Power Poll IGNITES Top 10 Ranking CONVERSATIONChapters[00:00] Oklahoma Sooners Gain Respect[11:06] 2023 Recruiting Class Impact[21:41] Heinecke, Aguilar & NCAA Eligibility Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOSooners?sid=YouTube 💬: Locked on Sooners Discord:https://discord.gg/7dTBkxSFaF Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege #Oklahoma #OklahomaSooners #OklahomaFootball Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.MazdaLike our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.Turbo TaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuelIf you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.