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Sooners Edge Buckeyes for Preseason #1, Pokes #24 August 1, 2003
Sooner fans finally got what they wanted, it just came two years late. In what is sure to have caused a rage in Columbus, Oklahoma is the coaches choice for Pre-Season #1 in America by a narrow 29 to 28 margin in first place votes and 19 points overall. The top three represent the last three national champions as Miami comes in at three, then the Big 12 rounds out the top five.
This marks the first time since 1987 that Oklahoma has taken the top spot in a recognized pre-season poll, though the Sooners have been pre-season top five the last two seasons following the 2000 National Championship. Ohio State returns 17 starters from the 2002 National Champions who defeated the 2001 National Champion Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, 31-24 in overtime.
Texas comes next at #4 followed by Kansas State marking the first time ever that three teams from the same conference have been in the pre-season top five. The fourth and final Big 12 team in the Top 25 is Oklahoma State at #24 coming off of their first bowl victory since 1988.
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