What Is 1970 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 Oklahoma Sooners football team finished with a 10-1 record, won the Big Eight Conference, and defeated Stanford in the 1971 Orange Bowl. Head coach Chuck Fairbanks led the team, which was ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll.

Key Facts

The 1970 Oklahoma Sooners finished the season with a 10-1 record
They won the Big Eight Conference championship with a 6-1 conference record
Quarterback Tom Brahaney was a key player and team captain
The team defeated Stanford 42-31 in the 1971 Orange Bowl on January 1, 1971
Oklahoma finished ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll

Overview

The 1970 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Under head coach Chuck Fairbanks, the team achieved a dominant 10-1 overall record and captured the Big Eight Conference title with a 6-1 conference mark.

The Sooners were known for their powerful wishbone offense and aggressive defense, which propelled them to a top-10 national ranking. Their season culminated in a victory in the Orange Bowl, solidifying their status as one of the nation's elite programs.

Record: The team finished with a 10-1 overall record, the only loss coming against the University of Texas in the historic Red River Rivalry game on October 10, 1970.
Conference Title: Oklahoma won the Big Eight Conference championship by finishing with a 6-1 conference record, edging out rivals Nebraska and Colorado.
Head Coach: Chuck Fairbanks, in his third season, led the team with a focus on disciplined defense and a high-powered rushing attack using the wishbone formation.
Orange Bowl: On January 1, 1971, the Sooners defeated the Stanford Indians 42-31 in the Orange Bowl, showcasing their offensive firepower on a national stage.
Final Ranking: The team finished sixth in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, reflecting their strong performance despite the late-season loss to Texas.

How It Works

The 1970 Sooners' success stemmed from a combination of strategic coaching, offensive innovation, and disciplined execution. The wishbone offense, introduced under predecessor Jim Tatum and refined by Fairbanks, became the foundation of their dominance.

Wishbone Formation: This triple-option offense relied on the quarterback reading defensive ends to decide whether to hand off, keep, or pitch. It allowed Oklahoma to control the clock and dominate the line of scrimmage.
Quarterback Tom Brahaney: Though listed as a center, Brahaney was a team leader and captain who helped orchestrate the offense’s rhythm and tempo during high-pressure situations.
Rushing Attack: The Sooners averaged over 350 rushing yards per game, led by running backs Greg Pruitt and Billy Sims, who later became a Heisman Trophy winner.
Defensive Strategy: The defense used a 5-2 alignment, emphasizing physicality and gap control, allowing them to limit big plays and force turnovers.
Recruiting Pipeline: Fairbanks strengthened Oklahoma’s recruiting in Texas and Oklahoma, bringing in athletes who thrived in the physical, run-heavy system.
Strength and Conditioning: The team implemented one of the first structured weight-training programs in college football, giving them a physical edge over opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1970 Sooners compared favorably to other top teams of the era in terms of record, rankings, and bowl performance. The table below highlights key metrics.

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result	Key Player
Oklahoma Sooners	10-1	No. 6	W 42-31 vs. Stanford (Orange Bowl)	Tom Brahaney
Nebraska Cornhuskers	11-1	No. 2	W 17-12 vs. LSU (Orange Bowl)	Johnny Rodgers
Texas Longhorns	10-1	No. 3	W 42-17 vs. Colorado (Cotton Bowl)	Drew Hill
Ohio State Buckeyes	9-1	No. 4	W 27-17 vs. Stanford (Rose Bowl)	Jack Tatum
Stanford Indians	9-3	No. 13	L 31-42 vs. Oklahoma (Orange Bowl)	Jim Plunkett

While Nebraska and Texas had slightly better records and higher rankings, Oklahoma’s decisive Orange Bowl win over Stanford demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. Their sixth-place finish reflected strong national respect despite the head-to-head loss to Texas.

Why It Matters

The 1970 season was a pivotal moment in Oklahoma football history, marking the transition from past traditions to a modern, physically dominant program. It laid the foundation for future national championships under Barry Switzer in the 1970s.

Legacy of the Wishbone: The success of the 1970 team cemented the wishbone as Oklahoma’s primary offensive system for the next decade.
Recruiting Momentum: Strong performances boosted the Sooners' national profile, helping attract elite talent from across the South and Midwest.
Defensive Identity: The team’s physical defense became a hallmark of Oklahoma football, influencing future coaching philosophies.
Bowl Game Prestige: Winning the Orange Bowl reinforced Oklahoma’s status as a consistent contender in major postseason matchups.
Player Development: Future stars like Greg Pruitt emerged, showing the program’s ability to develop NFL-caliber athletes.
Coaching Influence: Chuck Fairbanks’ emphasis on conditioning and discipline influenced college football programs nationwide.

The 1970 Oklahoma Sooners may not have won a national title, but their season represented a resurgence of power football and set the stage for Oklahoma’s dominance in the coming years.