Oklahoma football: Five best Oklahoma defenses since 2000

By Chip Rouse | Mar 29, 2023

Oklahoma's Jalen Redmond (31) pressures Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 19, 2022.Presto Id /

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Nov 5, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Baylor Bears running back Richard Reese (29) scores a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

3. 2000 Oklahoma Sooner defense

Oklahoma won its seventh and most recent national championship in the 2000 season in Bob Stoops’ second year on the Sooner sidelines. The Sooners were the biggest surprise in college football that season, finishing a perfect 13-0 and a lockdown defense was a major contributor to that undefeated national championship season.

Oklahoma’s offense that season averaged 425 yards a game, 18th best in college football, but the defense was even better, holding opponents to just 278 yards per contest, which ranked No. 8 among Division I teams. The 2000 Sooner defensive unit ranked 23rd in rushing defense (108 yards per game) and 9th in pass defense (170 yards per game). It also tied for 5th nationally in turnovers gained (33).

You don’t hold the country’s best offense (Florida State) to just two points in the national championship game if you’re not pretty darn good on defense.

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