University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU in College Football History


OU Football History & Tradition | Updated March. 4, 2026

Great college football and the Oklahoma Sooners. For as long as anyone can remember the two have been one and the same. Unlike some schools where tradition represents ancient history, or others where it harkens back only a few years, Oklahoma's tradition is a constant accomplishment unfettered by eras or time.

The Sooners were playing football before Oklahoma became a state and have achieved a legacy so successful, that more than contributing to the history of this great game, it defines it.

All-Time Winning Percentage
School % W-L-T Games
1. Ohio State .737 990-337-53 1380
2. Alabama .733 985-345-43 1373
3. Notre Dame .733 972-341-42 1355
4. Michigan .732 1021-362-36 1419
5. Boise State .724 511-194-2 707
6. Oklahoma .723 960-351-53 1364
7. Texas .704 971-398-33 1402
8. USC .694 891-378-54 1323
9. Penn State .689 950-418-42 1410
10. Nebraska .676 932-436-40 1408
Total Wins
School Wins Games
1. Michigan 1021 1419
2. Ohio State 990 1380
3. Alabama 985 1373
4. Notre Dame 972 1355
5. Texas 971 1402
6. Oklahoma 960 1364
7. Penn State 950 1410
8. Nebraska 932 1408
9. Georgia 904 1392
10. USC 891 1323
All-Americans
School Consensus Unanimous
1. Notre Dame 110 41
2. Ohio State 95 43
3. Michigan 89 29
4. Alabama 86 41
5. USC 84 29
6. Oklahoma 83 35
7. Texas 65 27
8. Pittsburgh 55 15
9. Nebraska 54 22
10. Florida State 46 15
Weeks Ranked
AP Poll Appearances Pct. Avg. Rank
1. Ohio State 1016 80.2 7.7
2. Michigan 943 74.4 9.5
3. Oklahoma 922 72.8 7.9
4. Alabama 907 71.6 7.3
Ā Ā Ā Ā Notre Dame 907 71.6 8.6
6. USC 830 65.5 9.7
7. Texas 806 63.6 9.3
8. Nebraska 733 57.9 8.3
9. Penn State 717 56.6 9.9
10. Georgia 695 54.9 9.9
Bowl Wins
School Wins Appearances
1. Alabama 46 80
2. Georgia 38 64
3. USC 36 59
4. Penn State 34 57
Ā  Ā  Texas 34 63
6. Oklahoma 31 59
Ā  Ā  Ā LSU 31 58
Ā  Ā  Tennessee 31 58
9. Ohio State 30 61
10. Florida State 29 50
NFL Draft Selections
School Picks First Rd.
1. Notre Dame 581 71
2. USC 534 86
3. Ohio State 503 95
4. Oklahoma 422 51
5. Michigan 421 55
6. Alabama 419 84
7. Penn State 394 44
8. Georgia 392 52
9. LSU 388 53
10. Florida 381 59

Sources: NCAA | football.stassen.com | collegepollarchive.com | winsipedia.com | drafthistory.com