2025-11-16 13:00
by
nlpkak
I still get chills thinking about that 2017 Oklahoma football season - what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions that was. As someone who's followed college football religiously for over two decades, I can confidently say that season contained some of the most electrifying moments I've ever witnessed on the gridiron. The Sooners weren't just playing football - they were creating poetry in motion, week after week. That magical run felt like watching a team crack some secret code of destiny, much like how underdogs in any sport suddenly figure out how to take down giants. I remember thinking during their crucial games that they needed to capture that same lightning-in-a-bottle energy repeatedly to complete their storybook season.
The season opener against UTEP set the tone in spectacular fashion. Baker Mayfield completed his first 16 passes - I counted every single one while watching from my living room, barely able to contain my excitement. The final score of 56-7 wasn't just a victory, it was a statement. What many people forget is that the Sooners actually trailed early in that game before unleashing an offensive onslaught that would become their signature throughout the season. I've rewatched that game at least three times, and each viewing reveals new layers to Lincoln Riley's offensive genius. The way Mayfield commanded that offense felt like watching a conductor leading a symphony - every movement precise, every decision calculated yet instinctive.
Then came the Ohio State game - my personal favorite from that season. Walking into the Horseshoe as 7-point underdogs and emerging 31-16 victors? That's the stuff legends are made of. I'll never forget Mayfield planting the Oklahoma flag at midfield after the game - controversial maybe, but absolutely iconic. The defense held the Buckeyes to just 350 total yards while the offense put up 490. Statistics rarely tell the whole story, but in this case, they perfectly captured the dominance we witnessed that night. What impressed me most was how the team adapted when their initial game plan wasn't working - they didn't panic, they evolved. That flexibility became their greatest strength as the season progressed.
The Red River Showdown against Texas was another classic that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Falling behind by 10 points early had me worried, but the Sooners' 29-24 comeback victory demonstrated the resilience that defined their season. Rodney Anderson's game-winning touchdown with just 1:47 remaining was one of those moments where time seemed to slow down. I remember screaming so loud my neighbors probably thought something was wrong. That game exemplified what made the 2017 squad special - they never believed they were beaten, no matter the score or circumstances. It's that mentality that separates good teams from great ones.
Watching the team navigate through the Big 12 Championship against TCU felt like witnessing the culmination of everything they'd built throughout the season. The 41-17 victory wasn't just about securing the conference title - it was about validating their entire approach to the game. Mayfield threw for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns in what would be his final conference game, and I remember feeling both exhilarated and saddened, knowing we were watching the end of an era. The way the defense stepped up in that game, creating two crucial turnovers, showed how complete this team had become when it mattered most.
The Rose Bowl against Georgia, despite the heartbreaking 54-48 double-overtime loss, contained some of the most brilliant football I've ever seen. Oklahoma raced to a 31-14 lead, with Mayfield completing 23 of 35 passes for 287 yards before leaving with injury. The back-and-forth battle in the second half had me alternating between hope and despair with each possession. When Anderson scored to put Oklahoma up 45-38 with just 6:52 left, I truly believed they would pull it off. The final outcome still stings when I think about it, but the game itself was a masterpiece of college football.
Reflecting on that entire season, what stands out most isn't any single play or statistic, but the relentless spirit that permeated every game. The Sooners played with a combination of swagger and substance that's rare even at the highest levels of college football. They scored 45 or more points in 9 of their 14 games, averaging 45.1 points per game for the season - numbers that still amaze me when I look them up. More importantly, they played with heart and determination that transcended the numbers. That 2017 team taught me that greatness in sports isn't just about winning every game - it's about how you play, how you respond to adversity, and the memories you create along the way. Even now, years later, I find myself revisiting highlights from that season, each viewing bringing back the same excitement and admiration for what that team accomplished.
