What Is 1983 Oklahoma Sooners football team

Overview

The 1983 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Barry Switzer, the team competed in the Big Eight Conference and played its home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

The Sooners had a strong season, finishing with an 8-4 overall record and a 5-2 conference mark. Despite a mid-season rise to No. 2 in the national rankings, they ended the year with a loss in the Orange Bowl, falling to the Washington Huskies 28-17.

• Danny Bradley started at quarterback, throwing for 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.
• The team opened the season ranked No. 6 nationally and climbed to No. 2 in the AP Poll after a 7-0 start.
• Oklahoma's only regular-season losses came against Colorado (20-17) and Nebraska (28-24), both in November.
• The Sooners averaged 37.6 points per game, showcasing Switzer’s signature wishbone offense.
• They defeated Texas 28-14 in the Red River Rivalry game, a key highlight of the regular season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1983 campaign featured several notable performances and pivotal matchups that shaped the team's trajectory. Despite high expectations, the Sooners stumbled late in the season, losing three of their final five games.

• Season Start: The Sooners won their first seven games, outscoring opponents 298-107, including a 58-17 rout of Kansas State.
• vs. Colorado: A 20-17 loss in Boulder snapped a 19-game home winning streak and marked a turning point in the season.
• vs. Nebraska: The regular-season finale saw Oklahoma fall 28-24 in Lincoln, ending hopes of a perfect conference record.
• Orange Bowl: Facing Washington, the Sooners were limited to 17 points and lost 28-17, finishing ranked No. 10 in the final AP Poll.
• Rushing Attack: The team averaged 318.2 rushing yards per game, led by running backs like Fred Sims and Lydell Carr.
• Defensive Stats: Oklahoma allowed 20.3 points per game, with linebacker Jackie Shipp recording 108 tackles.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1983 Sooners compare to the previous and following seasons in terms of record, rankings, and bowl results:

The 1983 season served as a transitional year, laying the foundation for Oklahoma’s dominant mid-1980s run. While not a championship season, it maintained the program’s national relevance under Switzer’s leadership and highlighted the consistency of the wishbone offense.

Why It Matters

The 1983 Oklahoma Sooners season is significant for its role in sustaining a powerhouse program during a period of national competition. It reflected both the strengths and vulnerabilities of Switzer’s system as the team prepared for future success.

• The season demonstrated the wishbone offense’s effectiveness, producing over 400 yards per game on average.
• Despite the Orange Bowl loss, the team finished ranked No. 10, maintaining Oklahoma’s streak of top-10 finishes.
• Barry Switzer’s leadership continued to attract elite recruits, including future stars like Keith Jackson.
• The loss to Nebraska remained a sore spot, fueling motivation for the 1984 rematch, which Oklahoma won.
• Defensively, the team improved over the season, holding five opponents to under 14 points.
• The 1983 season helped solidify Oklahoma’s reputation as a college football powerhouse throughout the 1980s.

In summary, while not the most decorated year in Sooners history, the 1983 season was a crucial chapter in maintaining national prominence and setting the stage for the 1985 national championship run.