02 Dec 2000: Quarterback Josh Heupel #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 27-24 during the Big 12 Championship at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Oklahoma will play for the national championship at the Orange Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT
It was 20 years ago today that Oklahoma football officially rendered notice it was back in its rightful place among college football’s elite programs.
On January 4, 2001, the Sooners surprised the college football world by defeating Florida State 13-2 to capture the most recent of Oklahoma’s seven national championships.
Oklahoma took the field at the Orange Bowl in Miami undefeated on the season, a perfect 12-0, and the top-ranked team in the country, yet the Las Vegas oddsmakers had the Sooners as the underdog coming into the game.