Oklahoma’s Historic Connection to National Championship Contenders
The University of Oklahoma has a rich and storied football history that has intertwined with some of the biggest names in college football, including those that consistently contend for national championships. From the early days of the program to the modern era, Oklahoma has played a significant role in shaping college football’s landscape. Throughout the decades, the Sooners have competed against many of the top programs in the nation, including those that are perennial championship contenders. This essay explores Oklahoma’s deep connection to national championship contenders, both as a competitor and as an influential force in shaping the game.
The Early Years: Establishing a Powerhouse
Oklahoma football dates back to the early 1900s, and by the 1940s, the Sooners had established themselves as one of the nation’s premier programs. Under the leadership of head coach Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma became a dominant force, setting the foundation for its future success. Wilkinson led the Sooners to three national championships in 1950, 1955, and 1956, a period during which they began to establish a rivalry with the top teams in college football.
Wilkinson’s teams became known for their powerful running game, aggressive defense, and overall dominance. They would go on to establish a 47-game winning streak, the longest in college football history at the time, and would lay the groundwork for future championship battles. One of the key programs that Oklahoma would begin to compete against during this era was the University of Southern California (USC), a team that would become a major national championship contender itself in the decades to follow.
In 1955, Oklahoma defeated USC in the Orange Bowl, solidifying their place among the nation’s elite teams. The rivalry and occasional head-to-head matchups between the two schools would continue to shape the landscape of college football for years to come.
The 1970s and 1980s: A New Wave of Competitors
After Wilkinson’s retirement in 1963, Oklahoma went through some turbulent years under various head coaches, but by the late 1970s, the Sooners had reasserted themselves as a dominant program under head coach Barry Switzer. Switzer’s high-powered offenses and revolutionary wishbone offense brought Oklahoma back to national prominence, winning national championships in 1974, 1975, and 1985.
The Sooners faced some of the greatest teams of that era, including those from the University of Nebraska, which was itself a powerhouse program. The rivalry between Oklahoma and Nebraska became one of the most iconic in college football history, as both teams often vied for supremacy in the Big 8 Conference, later the Big 12. Oklahoma and Nebraska’s encounters in the 1970s and 1980s often determined the national title picture, with Nebraska winning national championships in 1970 and 1971 and Oklahoma claiming titles in 1974, 1975, and 1985.
Oklahoma’s fierce competition against Nebraska, as well as other top programs like Alabama and Miami, was a defining feature of the 1980s. These matchups between championship contenders were often high-stakes affairs, with national championship implications hanging in the balance. The Sooners’ ability to compete and thrive during this period only further cemented their legacy as one of the nation’s top programs.
The 2000s: National Championships and Modern Rivalries
In the early 2000s, Oklahoma reached new heights under head coach Bob Stoops, who took over the program in 1999. Stoops brought a new level of success to the Sooners, guiding them to a national championship in 2000, defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl to claim the title. The Sooners’ 13-0 record that season was one of the most dominant in college football history.
This era also saw the rise of a new set of national championship contenders, including the University of Southern California (USC) under Pete Carroll. The Trojans, led by quarterback Carson Palmer and later Matt Leinart, became one of the dominant teams of the early 2000s, and Oklahoma faced them in the 2004 BCS National Championship Game. The Sooners, led by quarterback Jason White, fell to USC in a high-scoring affair, 55-19, but their consistent competitiveness during this period kept them firmly entrenched as one of college football’s elite programs.
During this time, the Big 12 Conference, which Oklahoma helped form in 1996, continued to produce championship contenders. Teams like Texas, which boasted one of the most legendary rivalries with Oklahoma, became national powers. The Red River Rivalry between the Sooners and Longhorns became one of the most anticipated matchups of the college football season, often with playoff and national championship implications.
The Texas-Oklahoma rivalry came to a head in 2005 when the Longhorns, led by Vince Young, defeated Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout before going on to win the national championship. The game was a turning point for both programs, as Texas claimed the title while Oklahoma looked to rebuild.
The 2010s: The Rise of New Contenders and the Playoff Era
The introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP) system in 2014 changed the landscape of college football, and Oklahoma, once again, found itself in contention for national championships. Bob Stoops continued to lead the Sooners through the 2010s, with Oklahoma returning to the CFP in 2015, 2017, and 2018. During this period, Oklahoma developed new rivalries with emerging powerhouses like Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia.
In 2015, Oklahoma played Clemson in the CFP semifinals, but they were defeated in a 37-17 loss, ending their title hopes for that season. Similarly, in 2017 and 2018, Oklahoma lost in the CFP semifinals to Georgia and Alabama, respectively. Despite the losses, the Sooners remained a constant presence in the playoff conversation, often fueled by the stellar quarterback play of Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Alabama, under head coach Nick Saban, became one of the most dominant forces in college football during the 2010s, winning multiple national championships. The Sooners’ losses to Alabama in the 2018 Orange Bowl were especially difficult, as the Sooners’ high-powered offense ran into a brick wall against the Crimson Tide’s defense, which ultimately went on to win the national title that year.
These matchups in the College Football Playoff era further solidified the Sooners’ place among the nation’s elite programs, even as they faced fierce competition from perennial contenders like Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State.
