Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: Five best Oklahoma defenses since 2000

By Chip Rouse

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
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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Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (31) pressures Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Adrian Martinez (9) during the game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (31) pressures Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Adrian Martinez (9) during the game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 2001 Oklahoma Sooner defense

A year after winning the national championship, Oklahoma actually became mortal, losing a couple of games. OU was 11-2 that season, losing twice in the Big 12 and finishing in second place behind Colorado and Texas.

The offense dropped all the way down to 66th in the country and produced almost 100 fewer yards per game. Defensively, however, the Sooners were as solid as ever. Brent Venables’ and Mike Stoops’ defense ranked as the fourth best in the country, allowing a stingy 263 yards per game.

The Sooners were exceptional stopping the run, giving up only 90 yards per game on the ground (No. 8 nationally). They also ranked in the top 15 nationally defending the pass (11th), holding opponents to 173 yards in the air.

Oklahoma ranked sixth in scoring defense in 2001, giving up an average of 13.8 points per game while the offense averaged 32.3 and outscored opponents by nearly 20 points per game. That scoring margin will win you a lot of games, and in the Sooners’ case it meant 11 of 13.

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