The SEC will once again be the toughest conference in college softball in 2026, but the SEC has newcomers Oklahoma and Texas to thank for just meaning even more.
The Preseason ESPN / USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll was released on Tuesday, with the Sooners coming in at No. 3 behind Texas and Texas Tech, who were tied for the top spot after meeting in the Women's College World Series Championship Series last season. Just two years ago, before OU and Texas left for the SEC, the Big 12 would have made up the entire top 3, but now the SEC proudly gets to boast two of the three best preseason teams and more.