Berry Tramel: Texas' ranking in preseason Top-25 'absurd'

The Oklahoman sports columnist Berry Tramel answered questions from readers in today's Power Lunch chat. Read the entire chat recap here. Participate in our Power Lunch chats Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. at NewsOK.com/sports.

On Texas being ranked No. 24 in the preseason coaches' poll:

It's sort of silly. The Longhorns were 5-7 last season and don't show anything to think they'll be much better. Look at it this way. Sure, UT shouldn't lose games at home to the likes of Baylor and Iowa State again, but UT also WON at Tech and Nebraska last year. In some ways, the 'Horns were lucky to be 5-7. So the top-25 designation was absurd.

On OU's biggest strength and weakness in 2011:

I'm still going to go with the kicking game as OU's biggest weakness. Covering kickoffs has been a three-year problem. Biggest strength? Offensive prowess.The Sooners can move and score the ball.

On whether Blake Griffin could become the best player ever from Oklahoma:

He's got a chance. The big three are Mark Price, Wayman Tisdale and Alvan Adams. I'd vote Price No. 1, because he made all-NBA. But Griffin definitely has a chance to be No. 1.

On whether OSU will schedule marquee non-conference games in the future:

It will be hit and miss. Arizona certainly qualifies. But OSU's series with Purdue and North Carolina State were canceled, so the future is iffy. I'm not optimistic. I wish OSU would do just as you asked. The Georgia series provided OSU with so much good PR, I think that's the way to go.