NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma will begin the 2011 season as the No. 1 team in the nation according to the preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday morning (August 4) by USA Today.

Five teams Oklahoma will face during the regular season are ranked in the Top 25 including Florida State (5), Oklahoma State (8), Texas A&M (9), Missouri (21) and Texas (24). The Sooners travel to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles in what could be an early-season matchup between top five teams on Saturday, Sept. 17.

"It's an honor to be ranked No. 1 any time, but we understand that the preseason ranking means very little compared with what it will mean months from now," said Coach Stoops.

"Like a lot of other teams, we face the challenge of preparing for a difficult schedule. Our aspirations are clear in that we want to compete for the national championship, and we're flattered to be considered by others as a program that has an opportunity to reach that goal."

Oklahoma begins the 2011 season in Norman on September 3 when the Sooners host Tulsa at 7 p.m. Visit Oklahoma Preseason Practice Central for the latest official coverage direct from the OU Athletics Department.