This is it, the biggest showdown of the 2025 NCAA gymnastics season. A meet so massive, and long-awaited, that it's being dubbed the "Super Bowl" of collegiate gymnastics. No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2 LSU are set to battle it out at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) on Friday, February 14. With national championship implications on the line, this face-off promises to be nothing short of thrilling.
A Clash of Champions
As two NCAA gymnastics champions, Oklahoma and LSU are generating all the hype from their fans. The Sooners, with an undefeated season, hold the highest average score in the nation at 197.746. LSU, surging into the No. 2 spot, isn't far behind with an average of 197.400. The Tigers have been dominant at home, and this Friday, they'll have the roaring PMAC crowd behind them.
It’s going to be a party in the PMAC on Friday night 🥳
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) February 12, 2025
There will be a light up wristband on every seat for fans to wear during the meet, presented by Louisiana Blue! pic.twitter.com/2AdtV6vm0p
Head coach Jay Clark is aware of the stakes, acknowledging that his team is focused on themselves while the matchup is intense.
"It's rare you get a number one versus number two matchup in any sport in the regular season like this... I acknowledge those things and it's super fun for the fans, and if I was sitting in your chair right now, I'd be more intrigued by that than I am in my own position. We certainly love it for our fans, and I love the fact that they're going to get to come here Friday night and see what are now the best two teams in the country."Jay Clark
LSU's Defending Champion Mentality
The Tigers fought tooth and nail this season, proving exactly why they earned the title last year and make a strong case to lift the trophy another year. Last week, they silenced critics by defeating Alabama in Tuscaloosa with a hard-fought 197.300-197.075 victory. Freshman Kailin Chio scored her second straight all-around score and her career-high 39.650; alongside winning multiple SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
Back-to-back weeks as your @SEC Freshman of the Week 💪
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) February 11, 2025
Make that four awards for our freshman ! #GeauxTigers | @kailin_chio pic.twitter.com/LS9tljinn2
However, injuries remain a concern. Fifth-year senior Haleigh Bryant, recovering from an elbow injury, has been ruled out of the uneven bars. Meanwhile, KJ Johnson is still dealing with a tender ankle, and sophomore Konnor McClain is working her way back after an Achilles injury. Despite the issues, the Tigers are ready to give it their all.
Oklahoma's Unstoppable Streak
The Sooners have been dominant from the start, maintaining their No. 1 ranking throughout the season. Coming off a commanding 197.825 win over No. 8 Kentucky, Oklahoma continues to hold its unbeaten title. Faith Torrez shined in that meet, winning the all-around title with a 39. 625 and posting 9.975 on the vault. Audrey Davis also delivered a near-perfect 9.950 on bars, moving Oklahoma's top ranking in the event with a 49.513 average.
After an early exist last year's semi-finals, Oklahoma has been on a mission to reclaim the national title. The meet against LSU is a crucial test as they inch closer to postseason play.
The PMAC is expected to be packed, with a standing-room-only crowd bringing the energy to an all-time high. However, the late start time has raised concerns. The meet, airing on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET, places NCAA gymnastics' biggest regular-season event on a secondary network. Oklahoma is 4-0 in SEC play, while LSU sits at 3-1. If the Tigers want a shot at the conference title, they must deliver a season-best performance.
Who will reign? Tune in Friday night to find out!