For the Crimson & Cream, just win, baby.

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff Committee unveiled its opening rankings of the 2021 season, and the Oklahoma Sooners (9-0, 6-0) checked in at No. 8. Given how the past nine weeks have played out on the field, it’s a frustrating yet somewhat understandable position to be in for a team that has struggled to win convincingly through the majority of its games. However, three quality opponents remain on the schedule, with the possibility of a marquee rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game. Nevertheless, going forward, the mission for OU couldn’t be more simple: win, and you’re in.

Full CFP Top 25 Poll

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Michigan State Spartans
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Cincinnati Bearcats
7. Michigan Wolverines
8. Oklahoma Sooners
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys
12. Baylor Bears
13. Auburn Tigers
14. Texas A&M Aggies
15. BYU Cougars
16. Ole Miss Rebels
17. Mississippi State Bulldogs
18. Kentucky Wildcats
19. NC State Wolfpack
20. Minnesota Golden Gophers
21. Wisconsin Badgers
22. Iowa Hawkeyes
23. Fresno State Bulldogs
24. San Diego State Aztecs
25. Pitt Panthers

Notes:

• It should be no surprise to see Georgia atop the CFP poll, especially considering how dominant the Bulldogs have looked from a defensive standpoint. Where things can get interesting is if both UGA and Alabama run the table through the regular season, then face off in the SEC Championship Game. A win for Kirby Smart’s Dawgs could knock out Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, but a win for ‘Bama would likely result in both SEC squads remaining in the final top four, leaving little room for the rest of the national contenders.
• Cincinnati is looking to become the first Group of Five team to crash the CFP party since the playoff was introduced in 2014, but simply winning out may not be enough for the Bearcats to finish among the top four with Georgia, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State and Michigan all squarely in contention with five weekends to go.
• As long as Baylor can get past the Gary Patterson-less TCU Horned Frogs this Saturday, OU’s trip to Waco on Nov. 13 should be a matchup between top 12 teams. Lincoln Riley and his unbeaten Sooners will have an opportunity to make a major statement on the road against Dave Aranda’s impressive Bears.

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