What Is 1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team finished the season with a 7–4 record under head coach Chuck Fairbanks. They played in the Big Eight Conference and lost to Alabama in the 1972 Orange Bowl, 17–14.

Key Facts

The 1971 Oklahoma Sooners finished with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Chuck Fairbanks led the team during his final season before departing for the NFL
The team played in the Big Eight Conference and finished third with a 5–2 conference record
Quarterback Tom Brahaney and defensive tackle Greg Pruitt were key players
Oklahoma lost 17–14 to Alabama in the January 1, 1972 Orange Bowl

Overview

The 1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Chuck Fairbanks, it was his final year at the helm before he left to become head coach of the New England Patriots. The team competed in the Big Eight Conference and played their home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

The Sooners showed flashes of strength but struggled with consistency, finishing the regular season with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–2 mark in conference play. Despite not winning the Big Eight title, they earned a berth in the Orange Bowl, a prestigious postseason matchup against a top-ranked opponent.

Chuck Fairbanks departed after the season to join the NFL's New England Patriots, ending a six-year tenure with a 44–24–1 record at Oklahoma.
The team finished third in the Big Eight Conference, behind undefeated Nebraska and second-place Colorado, both of whom had strong national rankings.
Tom Brahaney, the starting center, was named a consensus All-American and later became a first-round NFL draft pick in 1972.
Greg Pruitt, a dynamic running back, rushed for over 1,000 yards and earned All-American honors, becoming one of the team’s offensive leaders.
The Sooners’ season ended with a 17–14 loss to Alabama in the January 1, 1972 Orange Bowl, played in Miami, Florida.

How It Works

The 1971 season operated under standard NCAA football rules of the era, with key strategic and structural elements shaping team performance and bowl eligibility.

Season Structure: The NCAA football season consisted of a 10- to 11-game schedule, including conference matchups and one bowl game. Oklahoma played 11 games in 1971.
Bowl Selection: Bowl berths were determined by conference tie-ins and national rankings; Oklahoma earned the Big Eight’s Orange Bowl spot due to its high finish.
Coach Transition: Chuck Fairbanks’ departure mid-season created uncertainty, but he coached through the bowl game before being replaced by Barry Switzer.
Recruiting Pipeline: Oklahoma maintained a strong recruiting network in Texas and Oklahoma, supplying talent like Greg Pruitt and future stars under new leadership.
Offensive Scheme: The Sooners utilized a wishbone offense, emphasizing triple-option running plays to maximize Greg Pruitt’s speed and decision-making.
Defensive Strategy: The defense relied on a 4–3 alignment, focusing on aggressive line play and disciplined secondary coverage to counter high-powered offenses like Nebraska’s.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1971 Sooners compared to other top Big Eight teams and national champions of that season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
Nebraska	13–0	7–0	Won Orange Bowl	1
Colorado	9–3	6–1	Won Liberty Bowl	12
Oklahoma	7–4	5–2	Lost Orange Bowl 17–14	Unranked
Oklahoma State	8–4	4–3	Lost Sun Bowl	Unranked
Alabama	11–1	7–0	Won Orange Bowl 17–14	5

This comparison highlights Oklahoma’s mid-tier performance in a season dominated by powerhouse Nebraska, who went undefeated and claimed the national title. While Oklahoma’s 7–4 record was respectable, their loss to Alabama in the Orange Bowl underscored the gap between contenders and champions. The team’s unranked final standing reflected inconsistent play despite individual standout performances.

Why It Matters

The 1971 season marked a transitional moment for Oklahoma football, bridging the Fairbanks era and the rise of Barry Switzer’s dominant 1970s teams. It demonstrated the volatility of coaching changes and the importance of sustained program leadership.

The departure of Chuck Fairbanks signaled a shift in college football, as NFL opportunities began luring top collegiate coaches away from campus programs.
Greg Pruitt’s performance solidified his legacy, earning him Heisman consideration and paving the way for future Sooners’ offensive stars.
The 17–14 Orange Bowl loss to Bear Bryant’s Alabama team exposed defensive vulnerabilities that needed addressing in future seasons.
This season laid the foundation for Barry Switzer’s arrival in 1973, who would go on to win three national titles in the decade.
Oklahoma’s third-place Big Eight finish showed competitiveness but highlighted the need for greater depth and consistency.
The recruiting class of this era helped transition the program into a national powerhouse throughout the 1970s and beyond.

The 1971 Oklahoma Sooners may not be remembered as champions, but their season played a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of college football’s most storied programs.