Oklahoma Football: “Flying under the radar” has benefited Oklahoma in the past
By Connor Pasby
When you play for Oklahoma football, the stakes are always high, and it’s sweeter when there’s preseason doubt.
The Sooners came in 2nd in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, which breaks a streak of six years of being the favorite. Despite hiring defensive-guru Brent Venables, Oklahoma still isn’t getting respect. It doesn’t happen often, but Oklahoma has experienced the underdog mentality, and it serves them well.
The 2000 National Championship team under Bob Stoops wasn’t the most talented team that Oklahoma has put on the field, but they fed off the preseason detest. The Sooners came into the 2000 season ranked 19th in the AP Poll after the 7-5 record in 1999. They were also the preseason 4th best team in the Big 12, behind Nebraska, Texas, and Kansas State. Despite the preseason uncertainty, the Sooners shocked the College Football world going 13-0 and a National Championship win over Florida State.
The 2013 OU football season also comes into play. In the 2013 preseason AP poll, the Sooners checked in at No.16 and were projected to finish second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma State. As many know, the Sooners had a question mark at the quarterback position coming into the 2013 season after graduating Landry Jones a year ago. Trevor Knight led the Sooners halfway through the season, then “Bulldozer” Blake Bell came into crucial moments for Oklahoma.
After being doubted with a non-explosive offense, the Sooners beat Oklahoma State in the season finale earning a BCS Berth vs. Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. We all remember what happened in the Sugar Bowl; the Sooners upset Alabama 45-31 after being a 15.5 underdog. “Big Game Bob” was on full display in the Superdome.
After a 40-6 beatdown loss to Clemson in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl, we didn’t know what to expect from the 2015 season. The Sooners set at No.19 in the 2015 Preseason AP Poll and projected third in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, behind TCU and Baylor. It was a new signal collar for Oklahoma in 2015, Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield.
We saw how good this Oklahoma team was in Week 2 in Neyland Stadium. After being down 17-0, the Sooners rallied back in the 4th quarter, and Mayfield introduced himself to Sooner Nation. The Sooners beat Tennessee in overtime 31-24 turning a “season of doubt” into a “season of Sooner Magic.” Oklahoma would finish the regular season 11-1, after a 58-23 win over Oklahoma State to capture a Big 12 Championship. Although the Sooners lost to Clemson in the Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal), they accomplished way more than they were projected.
It’s relatively similar for the 2022 season. Like the three seasons listed above, the Sooners are not the preseason Big 12 favorite. For the Preseason AP Poll, which has not been announced yet, Oklahoma football may find itself outside the Top 10. Sooner fans can relate to this; the season feels much better when Oklahoma is flying under the radar.