OSU Moves up to No. 6 in ESPN’s Too Early Top 25

Maybe Phil Steele was wrong.

ESPN has Oklahoma State ranked No. 6 in the country going into the 2017 college football season. The only teams ahead of the Pokes are Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama, USC and Penn State.

Here is their analysis.

With quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington deciding to return for their senior seasons, the Cowboys already looked primed to challenge rival Oklahoma for a Big 12 title. Then the Pokes added two graduate transfers — Clemson cornerback Adrian Baker and Cal left tackle Aaron Cochran — who might be able to help right away.

Much of the buzz this spring focused on former LSU receiver Tyron Johnson, who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules, and now appears ready to be another weapon. Of course, if the Cowboys are going to win their first Big 12 championship since 2011, they’ll probably have to beat the Sooners in the Bedlam Series, which they’ve done only twice since 2003. [ESPN]

Rounding out the top 10 are Clemson, OU, Washington and Auburn. This is a little high for my taste on the Cowboys. I prefer they fly a little further under the radar (No. 11 or No. 13 would be delightful).

The last time ESPN ran this a few months ago, OSU was ranked No. 10. Because of the two transfers they got a four-spot bump. I’m not sure Cochran and Baker were worth that much, but they are certainly important to the upcoming season.