Any battle between major schools with strong football programs will get attention and that was the case on November 8, 1952. On that date, the Oklahoma Sooners traveled to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish in an important matchup, with approximately 10,000 Sooner fans also making the trip. Oklahoma entered the game ranked fourth, while Notre Dame was situated in the tenth spot.
Despite the home-field advantage for the Irish, the Sooners were installed as double-digit favorites and were one of multiple teams bidding to capture the national title. One of the teams ahead of them was long-time Notre Dame rival Michigan State Spartans, who were set the face the Irish the following week.