Oklahoma closes in on No. 1 Alabama

Oklahoma has not been this close to being No. 1 since early in the 2011 season. Ohio State has not been this far away from the top of The Associated Press poll since late in the 2014 season, when the Buckeyes were still recovering from an early season loss but on their way to a championship.

The fallout from the weekend’s biggest game — the Sooners’ stomping of Ohio State in Columbus — was essentially an identity swap for the perennial contenders in the minds of the AP Top 25 voters.

Now it is No. 2 Oklahoma that looks like a potential threat to No. 1 Alabama and defending national champion and No. 3 Clemson, while No. 8 Ohio State seems like that talented team that voters just can’t count on.

Basically, they have come full circle from last season when Ohio State went to Norman and beat the Sooners handily.

A heat check will help determine whether voters appropriately responded to the first Saturday of the season in which contenders had a chance to separate themselves. No. 1 Alabama The Tide have entered a stretch of schedule where its flaws will be nitpicked. This will make Nick Saban grumpy. Next: vs. Colorado State. Heat check: Just right. No. 2 Oklahoma None of the other presumptive Big 12 playoff contenders (Oklahoma State, Kansas State and TCU) will have an opportunity for a nonconference victory against a highly ranked team. The entire Big 12 will be drafting off the Sooners’ big win. Next: vs. Tulane. Heat check: Just right. No. 3 Clemson If you want, quibble about whether Clemson should be ranked higher than Oklahoma because of what the Tigers did to the Buckeyes in the playoff. Remember, the Sooners trounced Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Next: at No. 14 Louisville. Heat check: Just right, on resume. But if OU and Clemson played? Pick Clemson. No. 4 USC Clearing that Stanford hurdle seems like a big deal for the Trojans. Now Sam Darnold and crew can settle in. Next: vs. Texas. Heat check: Touch too hot. No. 5 Penn State Not suggesting the Nittany Lions’ defense is equivalent to Clemson or Alabama, but it does look improved. Next: vs. Georgia State. Heat check: Flip-flop with USC. No. 6 Washington The Huskies are good and they haven’t played anybody. Next: vs. Fresno State. Heat check: Too hot. No. 7 Michigan Could get a better read on the value of that Florida win next week. Next: vs. Air Force. Heat check: Too hot. No. 8 Ohio State While you ponder the Buckeyes’ anemic passing offense, don’t forget that porous pass defense: 110th in the country. Next: vs. Army. Heat check: Too hot. No. 9 Oklahoma State Nobody is saying Tulsa and South Alabama are world beaters, but the Cowboys have made it look easy so far. Next: at Pittsburgh. Heat check: Too cold. No. 10 Wisconsin The vintage Badgers’ running game has sort of been missing the last two seasons. Freshman RB Jonathan Taylor might be bringing it back. Next: at BYU. Heat check: Just right.