History:
One of the most honored programs in NCAA football, the Oklahoma Sooners have won 7 National Championships, 43 Conference Championships, have had 44 bowl appearances and 152 All-Americans. Legendary coaches Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and now Bob Stoops make up a fraternity of excellence over several decades of NCAA play. OU has played football since 1895 and has won 10 or more games more than any other team in NCAA history.
2010 Season:
The 2010 season was a nice rebound from 2009. Built on the experience gained from players thrust into the fire due to key injuries, the 2010 squad started the season with key wins, a blowout victory over Florida State and a win in the annual Red River Rivalry against Texas. Quarterback Landry Jones was growing into a more than capable replacement for Sam Bradford, the top pick in the NFL draft, and soon the Sooners were ranked #1 in the BCS.
Then came tough road losses at Missouri and A&M before the team rebounded to win 5 straight, including topping Nebraska in the final Big 12 Championship game. Even better, the BCS bowl loss streak was broken against Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl.
Location:
The Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman ranks as the 15 largest on-campus facility in the NCAA. Official capacity is noted at 82,112, and the stadium features 63 suites, lounge and concessions.
Get a detailed map with driving directions to the stadium.
Get a detailed map with driving directions to the stadium.
Tickets:
Tickets for OU home football games are not easy to come by. Season tickets are typically sold out long in advance but are available by waiting list (call (800) 456-GoOU) or for donors (call (405) 325-8000). Single game tickets are available for some dates and are typically priced between $60-80. Call (800) 456-GoOU for details or buy online.
Primary Coach Staff:
Head Coach: Bob Stoops - since 1999
2 time Big XII Coach of the Year
Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables - since 1999
Assistant Head Coach / Asst. Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Jack Wright - since 2005
Co-Offensive Coordinator: Josh Heupel - On staff since 2005
Co-Offensive Coordinator: Jay Norvell - On staff since 2008
2 time Big XII Coach of the Year
Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables - since 1999
Assistant Head Coach / Asst. Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Jack Wright - since 2005
Co-Offensive Coordinator: Josh Heupel - On staff since 2005
Co-Offensive Coordinator: Jay Norvell - On staff since 2008
2011 Schedule:
* = Home Game
Sat, Sep 03 *Tulsa
Sat, Sep 17 Florida State
Sat, Sep 24 *Missouri
Sat, Oct 01 *Ball State
Sat, Oct 08 Texas (in Dallas)
Sat, Oct 15 Kansas
Sat, Oct 22 *Texas Tech
Sat, Oct 29 Kansas State
Sat, Nov 05 *Texas A&M
Sat, Nov 19 Baylor
Sat, Nov 26 *Iowa State
Sat, Dec 03 Oklahoma State: the Bedlam Series
2011 Outlook:
When the Sooners were going through the injury-riddled pain of 2009, a year that began with so much promise and came crashing down, the optimists pointed out that it would be a good thing for the University of Oklahoma in the long run. All of those players thrust into action, all the youngsters getting time and learning, would eventually lead to promise. Enter 2011. After Landry Jones silenced his critics and Ryan Broyles turned into one of the best in the nation at wide receiver in 2010, Oklahoma seems poised for great things this season.
After winning 5 straight to end the 2010 season, notching yet another Big 12 Championship and ending the BCS bowl slide by thumping Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl, the Oklahoma Sooners appear as the #1 team in American on a number of polls and lists. Even the players and coaches are speaking of winning #8. It's more than enough to send fans close-knuckled into as many wooden objects as they can find.
The optimism, though, seems to be founded. The Sooners return a large number of players with experience. The aforementioned Jones and Broyles are offensive stars and national award candidates and what might have seemed like a difficult task, replacing the school's all-time touchdown leader DeMarco Murray, appears doable with a stable of talented backs. Add in playmakers such as Kenny Stills and the man that crushed Oklahoma State's spirit in 2010, James Hanna, and the offense appears poised to put up plenty of points.
The other side of the ball has a few more questions. All-American Travis Lewis will miss the early part of the season with a broken bone in his foot, and the Sooners suffered the tragic loss of senior linebacker Austin Box. Therefore, Oklahoma will need to count on new starters such as Corey Nelson and Tom Wort, and the team must replace both safeties. The biggest concern seems to be interior play, as it was in 2010, so that could tell the tale on how successful the defense will be.
Still, it all shapes up nicely for Oklahoma to make a run at a National Championship. An early season road test at Florida State will be key, but several conference games appear winnable. Texas finished 5-7 in 2010 and is struggling with quarterback concerns, and Oklahoma plays Missouri, Texas Tech and Texas A&M all at home, where the team is practically unbeatable. Look for the December 3rd trip to Stillwater as this year's Big 12 Championship game.
After winning 5 straight to end the 2010 season, notching yet another Big 12 Championship and ending the BCS bowl slide by thumping Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl, the Oklahoma Sooners appear as the #1 team in American on a number of polls and lists. Even the players and coaches are speaking of winning #8. It's more than enough to send fans close-knuckled into as many wooden objects as they can find.
The optimism, though, seems to be founded. The Sooners return a large number of players with experience. The aforementioned Jones and Broyles are offensive stars and national award candidates and what might have seemed like a difficult task, replacing the school's all-time touchdown leader DeMarco Murray, appears doable with a stable of talented backs. Add in playmakers such as Kenny Stills and the man that crushed Oklahoma State's spirit in 2010, James Hanna, and the offense appears poised to put up plenty of points.
The other side of the ball has a few more questions. All-American Travis Lewis will miss the early part of the season with a broken bone in his foot, and the Sooners suffered the tragic loss of senior linebacker Austin Box. Therefore, Oklahoma will need to count on new starters such as Corey Nelson and Tom Wort, and the team must replace both safeties. The biggest concern seems to be interior play, as it was in 2010, so that could tell the tale on how successful the defense will be.
Still, it all shapes up nicely for Oklahoma to make a run at a National Championship. An early season road test at Florida State will be key, but several conference games appear winnable. Texas finished 5-7 in 2010 and is struggling with quarterback concerns, and Oklahoma plays Missouri, Texas Tech and Texas A&M all at home, where the team is practically unbeatable. Look for the December 3rd trip to Stillwater as this year's Big 12 Championship game.
