**Oklahoma Has History With Both National Championship Game Contenders**
The **2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game** will feature two of the most storied programs in college football history: the **Georgia Bulldogs** and the **Michigan Wolverines**. These teams have each had impressive runs to the title game, and their respective paths to this moment have been paved with success. But while the Bulldogs and Wolverines are set to clash in the final showdown of the season, one program has played an integral role in shaping the legacies of both of these teams: the **Oklahoma Sooners**.
Oklahoma football has a rich history of competition, both with teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), like Georgia, and in non-conference matchups with schools from the Big Ten, like Michigan. Throughout the years, the Sooners have found themselves intertwined with both Georgia and Michigan in a variety of ways—whether through bowl games, regular-season clashes, recruiting battles, or even coaching connections. As we look at the upcoming national championship game, it’s interesting to reflect on Oklahoma’s historical ties to these two programs and how they’ve shaped the landscape of college football.
In this article, we’ll explore the **history between Oklahoma and Georgia**, as well as **Oklahoma’s battles with Michigan**, providing context for the longstanding relationships between the Sooners and the two teams that will face off for the national title in 2024. Additionally, we’ll look at how Oklahoma’s own championship aspirations have been influenced by these teams and what the future might hold as the Sooners continue to pursue national glory.
### **Oklahoma vs. Georgia: A Storied Rivalry**
Though they haven’t faced off in recent years in the regular season, the **Oklahoma Sooners** and the **Georgia Bulldogs** have a history of high-profile meetings that have defined both programs. Perhaps the most memorable of these encounters came in the **2018 College Football Playoff Rose Bowl**. This iconic game was an instant classic, with both teams putting on an offensive clinic in what many consider one of the best playoff games of all time.
The **2018 Rose Bowl** was the **College Football Playoff semifinal**, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. **Oklahoma**, led by quarterback **Baker Mayfield**, came into the game with a high-powered offense that had rolled through the Big 12 all season. On the other hand, **Georgia**, led by head coach **Kirby Smart** and a stout defense, boasted one of the best all-around teams in the country, with freshman running back **Zamir White** and future NFL talent like **Roquan Smith** and **Deandre Baker**. The game lived up to its billing as a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with the Bulldogs edging out the Sooners in a 54-48 victory in overtime.
The game was a culmination of a wild and emotional contest that saw Georgia rally from a 17-point deficit to tie the game and ultimately win. For Oklahoma, the loss was gut-wrenching, as it was so close to a berth in the national championship game, but it also served as a reminder of the high level of competition in college football. Georgia’s victory marked a pivotal moment in the development of Kirby Smart’s program, while for Oklahoma, it served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the postseason.
That game remains one of the most significant moments in the rivalry between Oklahoma and Georgia, though the two programs have clashed in bowl games before. Oklahoma’s encounter with Georgia in the **2018 College Football Playoff** exemplifies what has become a competitive rivalry between two power programs from different conferences. The game was a testament to the talent, tenacity, and resilience of both teams, setting the stage for further battles between the two.
Though they haven’t faced off since then, Oklahoma and Georgia remain connected through their shared pursuit of national championships and their deep-rooted histories in college football. With Oklahoma joining the **SEC** in 2025, the Sooners and Bulldogs are likely to meet again in future seasons, adding another layer to their rivalry and history.
### **Oklahoma vs. Michigan: A Different Kind of History**
While Oklahoma and Georgia share a rivalry that is built on a number of high-profile postseason matchups, Oklahoma’s history with **Michigan** has been shaped by different forces. The Sooners and Wolverines have only met on a handful of occasions, but each encounter has had major implications for both programs.
One of the most significant meetings between Oklahoma and Michigan came in the **1976 Orange Bowl**. Michigan, led by head coach **Bo Schembechler**, entered the game as one of the top teams in the country, looking to cap off a successful season. Meanwhile, **Barry Switzer’s Oklahoma Sooners** were an unstoppable force, coming off an undefeated season in which they claimed the **Big 8** championship.
The 1976 Orange Bowl was a clash of two football powerhouses, and it was Oklahoma that emerged victorious, defeating Michigan **14-6** to claim the **National Championship**. For the Sooners, the victory marked the program’s sixth national title, and it solidified Oklahoma’s place as one of the dominant programs of the 1970s. The victory was also a vindication of Switzer’s coaching methods, which blended strong offensive play with a hard-nosed defense.
While the 1976 Orange Bowl was a defining moment for Oklahoma, it also marked an important point in Michigan’s history, as it served as a reminder of the difficulty of reaching the top of college football, even for a team as talented as Schembechler’s Wolverines. In the years that followed, Michigan would become one of the preeminent programs in college football, but that Orange Bowl loss was a setback in their pursuit of national titles.
The two teams have also met in more recent years, though not often in the postseason. For example, **Oklahoma and Michigan** faced off in the **2012 Sugar Bowl**, where the Sooners came out on top with a **41-14 victory**. This game was significant in its own right, as it was part of a transition period for both programs, with new coaches and players entering the fray. Despite their shared history, Oklahoma and Michigan’s matchups have been more sporadic than those with Georgia, but their contests have still held important implications for both teams.
### **Oklahoma’s Aspirations and Connections to the National Championship**
As the **2024 National Championship Game** approaches, the connections between Oklahoma, Georgia, and Michigan continue to resonate, especially as the Sooners prepare to embark on a new chapter in their history with their move to the **SEC** in 2025. The Sooners’ own pursuit of a national championship has been well-documented, with the program consistently competing for titles but falling short in recent years.
Oklahoma’s history with both **Georgia** and **Michigan** underscores the program’s constant pursuit of excellence. For Oklahoma fans, the national championship game between the Bulldogs and Wolverines presents an interesting backdrop, as the Sooners’ past encounters with both programs serve as a reminder of the high stakes that come with competing for a title.
In particular, Oklahoma’s near-misses in recent years—such as their **2017 and 2018 College Football Playoff** appearances—highlight how close they have come to reaching the pinnacle of college football. The Sooners’ high-powered offenses, led by quarterbacks like **Baker Mayfield** and **Kyler Murray**, have been among the most prolific in college football, but they’ve come up short in critical moments, often falling to teams with strong defenses or powerful all-around teams like Georgia and Alabama.
As the Sooners prepare for their move to the SEC, they are acutely aware of the challenges that await them in the conference, which has produced the majority of recent national championship contenders. The **SEC** is home to powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and others, all of whom have established themselves as elite teams with championship aspirations. For Oklahoma, competing in the SEC will be a major test of their ability to recruit, develop talent, and succeed in the toughest football conference in the country.
At the same time, the Sooners’ historic rivalry with Georgia and their past battles with Michigan serve as a reminder that Oklahoma is a program with the pedigree and talent to compete for national titles, even if it hasn’t quite gotten over the hump in recent years.
### **Conclusion: Oklahoma’s Legacy and the Future of College Football**
As **Georgia** and **Michigan** prepare to square off in the **2024 National Championship Game**, it’s impossible not to reflect on the ways in which Oklahoma has shaped the history of these two teams. The Sooners’ past clashes with both programs—whether in the Rose Bowl against Georgia or the Orange Bowl against Michigan—highlight the rich tradition of college football and the way these programs have influenced one another.
For Oklahoma, the path to a national title has been filled with both triumphs and near-misses, and while they are not playing in the national championship this year, their legacy is firmly cemented. As the Sooners transition to the **SEC**, their history with Georgia and Michigan will undoubtedly play a role in shaping their future. The rivalry with Georgia, in particular, will intensify in the years to come, while the historical significance of their matchups with Michigan serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of college football.
In the end, Oklahoma’s connections to the **2024 National Championship** contenders underscore the program’s continued importance in the world of college football. With the future bright, Oklahoma’s pursuit of another national championship is sure to continue—perhaps one day against teams like Georgia or Michigan, in a game that will be just as memorable as those from the past.
