The Soonerguys founder predicted a loss in our game against Tennessee. Had that happened it would have broken a long standing winning streak dating back to January 1, 1968.
This was the era when you still had to be good to play in a bowl game, and really good to play on New Years Day. Second ranked Tennessee met No. 3 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. It was Chuck Fairbanks’ first year as head coach, Steve Owens’ first year at running back and Bobby Warmack’s second year quarterbacking the team. Tennessee was favored.
The pre-game hype centered around the match-up between Tennessee’s center, 6-foot-2, 250 pound Bob Johnson (All-American and All-everything-else for offensive linemen) and Oklahoma’s diminutive nose guard, 5-foot-11, 216 pound Granville Liggins (All American and multiple award winning defensive lineman).
It wasn’t too long after the start of the game that it became obvious that Johnson couldn’t deal with the lightening quick Liggins and Tennessee resorted to double teaming Granville. This, of course left somebody unblocked and able to make the necessary defensive plays.
Oklahoma ran out to a 19 to 0 lead but then had to hold on. With little time left in the game, rookie coach Fairbanks made a controversial decision to go for it on fourth down in his own territory. I remember screaming NOOOOOO! at the TV screen, Two years later, Heisman trophy winner Steve Owens probably would have made it handily. But as a sophomore, he didn’t.
Fortunately, Tennessee missed a 43 yard field goal preserving the 26-24 win for Oklahoma, thus starting what became a 47 year-long winning streak.
Also, fortunately, Mike’s prediction was wrong, and the winning streak was extended to three on Saturday night.
– Gary
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