Conference Big Eight Conference AP No. 3 Offensive coordinator Galen Hall (1st year) | Coaches No. 2 1973 record 10–0–1 (7–0 Big 8) | |
Head coach Barry Switzer (1st year) | ||
The 1973 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. Oklahoma participated as members of the Big Eight Conference and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where it has played its home games since 1923. The team posted a 10–0–1 overall record and a 7–0 conference record to earn the Conference outright title under first-year head coach Barry Switzer. This would be the first of eight consecutive Big Eight Conference championships for the Sooners with Switzer as head coach.
The team was led by three All-Americans: Rod Shoate (Oklahoma's second three-time All-American) the oldest of the Selmon brothers, Lucious, and Eddie Foster. The Selmon brothers Lucious, Lee Roy and Dewey started on the defensive line. The team went undefeated on a schedule that included seven ranked opponents (In order, #1 USC, #17 Miami, #13 Texas, #13 Colorado, #10 Missouri, #18 Kansas, and #10 Nebraska). Five of these opponents finished the season ranked. The team tied with USC in the second game of the season before winning nine consecutive contests. It began the season ranked number 11 and steadily climbed in the polls as the season progressed.
Joe Washington led the team in rushing with 1173 yards, Steve Davis led the team in passing yard for with 934 yards, Tinker Owens led the team in receiving with 472 yards, Davis led the team in scoring with 108 points, Shoate led the team in tackles with 126, and Randy Hughes led the team in interceptions with 5.
Prior to the season in August, the Sooners were put on probation by the NCAA, which included a two-year ban on bowl appearances.