What Is 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team finished with a 10-2 record, won the Big Eight Conference, and defeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Head coach Barry Switzer led the team, which was ranked No. 4 nationally at season's end.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 10-2 overall record
Won the Big Eight Conference championship
Defeated Nebraska 31-24 in the 1980 Orange Bowl
Ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll
Head coach Barry Switzer in his 8th season

Overview

The 1979 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Big Eight Conference, the team was led by head coach Barry Switzer, who was in his eighth season at the helm. The Sooners posted a strong 10-2 overall record and captured the conference title, earning a berth in the Orange Bowl.

Under Switzer’s leadership, the team showcased a powerful running game and a disciplined defense. The Sooners finished the season ranked No. 4 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, reflecting their national prominence. Their season included notable victories over ranked opponents and a decisive win in the postseason.

Record: The team finished with a 10-2 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in Big Eight Conference play, securing the conference championship.
Orange Bowl: On January 1, 1980, the Sooners defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 31-24 in the Orange Bowl, marking a significant win over a bitter rival.
Final Ranking: Oklahoma was ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll, their highest year-end ranking since the mid-1970s.
Barry Switzer: Head coach Barry Switzer, in his eighth season, continued to build on Oklahoma’s tradition of dominant football with a balanced offensive approach.
Key Players: The team featured standout performers such as quarterback J.C. Watts and running back George Thomas, who contributed significantly to the rushing attack.

How It Works

The success of the 1979 Oklahoma Sooners can be attributed to a combination of strategic coaching, disciplined execution, and a strong team culture. Barry Switzer’s offensive philosophy emphasized the wishbone formation, which maximized rushing yards and controlled game tempo.

Wishbone Offense: The Sooners ran a triple-option wishbone offense, which relied on quick decision-making and misdirection to exploit defensive gaps.
Running Game: Oklahoma averaged 332.6 rushing yards per game, one of the highest in the nation, led by George Thomas and J.C. Watts.
Defensive Discipline: The defense allowed only 14.8 points per game, ranking among the top units in the Big Eight Conference.
Recruiting Pipeline: Switzer’s deep ties in Texas and Oklahoma ensured a steady influx of high-caliber talent, particularly in the backfield.
Team Culture: The program emphasized toughness and accountability, with strict conditioning and team-first values instilled by the coaching staff.
Bowl Preparation: The team spent extra weeks preparing for Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, studying film and refining their game plan to exploit weaknesses.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1979 Sooners stack up against other top teams from that season and recent Oklahoma squads:

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Conference	Bowl Result
1979 Oklahoma	10-2	No. 4	Big Eight	W, 31-24 vs. Nebraska (Orange Bowl)
1978 Oklahoma	11-1	No. 2	Big Eight	L, 17-14 vs. USC (Orange Bowl)
1980 Oklahoma	10-2	No. 2	Big Eight	W, 18-17 vs. Florida (Gator Bowl)
1979 Penn State	11-1	No. 1	Independent	W, 36-6 vs. Ohio State (Sugar Bowl)
1979 Nebraska	9-3	Unranked	Big Eight	L, 31-24 vs. Oklahoma (Orange Bowl)

The 1979 Sooners compare favorably to both their immediate predecessors and rivals. While they didn’t finish as high as the 1978 team, their Orange Bowl victory over Nebraska provided a strong finish. The table highlights Oklahoma’s consistency during this era, with three straight 10+ win seasons under Switzer.

Why It Matters

The 1979 season was a pivotal moment in Oklahoma football history, reinforcing the program’s national dominance during the late 1970s. It also showcased the effectiveness of the wishbone offense at the highest level of college football.

Legacy of Excellence: The 1979 team contributed to Oklahoma’s reputation as a college football powerhouse, maintaining a streak of top-5 finishes.
Impact on Recruiting: Success on the field helped attract elite high school prospects, particularly in Texas, where Switzer had strong connections.
Development of J.C. Watts: Watts emerged as a leader, later becoming a symbol of dual-threat quarterbacks in Oklahoma’s system.
Conference Dominance: Winning the Big Eight title underscored Oklahoma’s superiority in the region during that era.
Precedent for Future Teams: The 1979 squad set the tone for the 1980 season, which ended with a No. 2 national ranking.
Cultural Significance: The team’s success brought pride to the state and reinforced college football’s role in Oklahoma’s identity.

In summary, the 1979 Oklahoma Sooners were more than just a successful football team—they were part of a broader legacy of excellence that defined an era of college football dominance.