University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Debut At No. 3

August 02, 2001 | Football

By: Athletics Communications

Aug. 2, 2001

The University of Oklahoma football team received 1,314 votes, including first-place votes on eight ballots, to rank third in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches preseason poll. Florida is ranked first with 1,401 votes (25 first place) while Miami (Fla.) is a close second with 1,349, 15 of those first-place tallies. Nebraska and Florida State both garnered 1,292 votes but the Huskers are ranked fourth on the strength of five more first place votes than the Seminoles. Texas, ranked sixth nationally, and No. 11 Kansas State round out Big 12 teams in the top 25.

OU returns 15 starters from last year's undefeated national championship squad. Offensively, eight starters return, including All-Big 12 performers Frank Romero and Quentin Griffin. On the defensive side of the ball, six first- teamers are back, highlighted by All-American Rocky Calmus and All-America candidate Roy Williams. Both Sooner kickers as well as the deep snapper also return.

In addition to top 15 opponents Nebraska, Texas and Kansas State, four other 2001 opponents received votes in the preseason poll. Season opener North Carolina garnered a single vote as did Air Force, OU's first road opponent. Conference foes Texas A&M (47) and Texas Tech (three) also received votes.

RK.TEAMRECORDPTSPVS
1.Florida (25)10-31,40111
2.Miami (15)11-11,3492
3.Oklahoma (8)13-01,3141
4.Nebraska (6)10-21,2927
5.Florida State (1)11-21,2494
6.Texas (2)9-31,16412
7.Tennessee (1)8-41,04225
8.Oregon (1)10-21,0389
9.Virginia Tech11-18996
10.Michigan (1)9-385610
11.Kansas State11-38448
12.Oregon State11-17965
13.Georgia Tech9-370619
14.Washington11-16523
15.UCLA6-6547-
16.Notre Dame9-353416
17.LSU8-4515-
18.Clemson9-350314
19.Mississippi St.8-448122
20.Northwestern8-4366-
21.Ohio State8-4259-
22.South Carolina8-425821
23.Wisconsin9-420424
24.Colorado State10-216815
25.Alabama3-8131-

Also receiving votes: Purdue 120, Georgia 109, Auburn 93, Colorado 92, East Carolina 59, Louisville 51, Texas A&M 47, Pittsburgh 42, Southern California 41, North Carolina State 39, Penn State 31, TCU 27, Stanford 26, Marshall 23, Southern Mississippi 19, Fresno State 15, Brigham Young 14, UNLV 12, Michigan State 11, Minnesota 9, Illinois 8, Arkansas 7, Iowa State 7, Mississippi 7, Toledo 7, Texas-El Paso 4, Texas Tech 3, West Virginia 3, Western Michigan 2, Air Force 1, Duke 1, North Carolina 1, Syracuse 1.

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