Oklahoma football: 5 best seasons in Sooners history, ranked

What are the greatest Oklahoma football seasons in Sooners history?

Whether it’s been Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops or now Lincoln Riley at the helm of Oklahoma football, the Sooners have been winning. The program has won seven National Championships since 1950 and, though they’ve yet to capture a title under Riley, have made the College Football Playoff in four years since that postseason format was adopted.

Given the amount of success that has been enjoyed in Norman over the years, there are always high expectations. The Sooners are expected to be great every year because that’s the standard that’s been set by the Oklahoma football teams of yesteryear.

But when we look at those teams of the past, which ones are the absolute best? Let’s figure that out as we rank the five best seasons in Oklahoma football history.

5. 2000 Oklahoma football season

Final Record: 13-0 | Finish: National Champions (def. Florida State in Orange Bowl, 13-2)

The 1990s were not particularly kind to the Sooners. For a program so rich with excellence. They had more than seven wins just three times throughout the decade. Head coach Bob Stoops, however, took over the program in the 1999 season and led them to a 7-5 record. The following year, he had much bigger plans in store for his team.

Oklahoma entered the year as just the No. 19 team in the country but made statements right away behind the arm of quarterback Josh Heupel, running back Quentin Griffin and a stout defense. The Sooners went 4-0 as they won every game by at least 18 points, including two wins by more than 35 points.

It was in October when the Sooners proved themselves fully, though. They started the month by dominating rival Texas, ranked No. 11 at the time, 63-14. They followed that up with a 41-31 victory at No. 2 Kansas State and then steamrolled No. 1 Nebraska after an off week, 31-14. The Sooners survived at Texas A&M in mid-November and went on to beat Kansas State again in the Big 12 Championship.

At 12-0, that set up a date between Oklahoma and Florida State in the Orange Bowl with a title hanging in the balance. While the Seminoles were favored, the Sooners continued to be dominant as they allowed just 27 rushing yards and forced three turnovers to earn a convincing 13-2 victory. While they may not have been spectacular, Stoops’ 2000 team was historic for reviving the program and doing so when facing tall odds throughout the year.