Alabama tops Associated Press football poll

Oklahoma football enters the season in a familiar spot.

The Sooners landed at No. 9 in the Associated Press’ preseason poll, the outlet announced Monday. It’s the seventh straight season the Sooners are ranked inside the Top 10 in the poll and the 19th time in the past 22 seasons.

Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame took the top five spots, respectively. Alabama defeated Ohio State in the national championship game last season.

Oklahoma is the highest ranked Big 12 team in the poll, one spot ahead of Baylor (No. 10) and three spots ahead of Oklahoma State (No. 12). Texas and Kansas State received votes but did not make the poll.

The University of Southern California, where Coach Lincoln Riley landed after leaving OU last season, came in at No. 14.

This marks the 23rd straight season the Sooners are ranked inside the Top 25 entering the season, which is the second-longest streak behind Ohio State (34).

Of Oklahoma’s 64 appearances in the poll, the Sooners have been ranked inside the top 10 48 times.

The Sooners open the season against Kent State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Here is the AP’s full Top-25 poll:

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Georgia

4. Clemson

5. Notre Dame

6. Texas A&M

7. Utah

8. Michigan

9. Oklahoma

10. Baylor

11. Oregon

12. Oklahoma State

13. NC State

14. USC

15. Michigan State

16. Miami

17. Pittsburgh

18. Wisconsin

19. Arkansas

20. Kentucky

21. Ole Miss

22. Wake Forest

23. Cincinnati

24. Houston

25. BYU