By far the most dominant presence on ESPN’s new “Most Unbreakable College Football Records” list? The Oklahoma Sooners.
In a feature highlighting 10 of college football’s most enduring achievements, OU appeared an incredible four times—more than any other program. It’s a powerful reminder of just how deep the Sooners’ legacy runs, from the 1950s to the modern era.
Here’s a closer look at the records that prove Oklahoma’s history isn’t just rich—it’s untouchable.
The 47-Game Winning Streak (1953–57)
This one is bulletproof. Bud Wilkinson’s Sooners rattled off 47 straight wins—a record that still stands atop college football history books and looks virtually unbreakable. That streak included 22 shutouts and two national championships. No one’s come close. It’s not just the greatest streak in college football—it might be the greatest in all of sports.
The Wishbone Era’s Ground Game (1971)
Barry Switzer’s 1971 Sooners ran the wishbone to perfection, averaging a jaw-dropping 472.4 rushing yards per game—still an NCAA record. In today’s pass-happy game, that number is laughably out of reach. That offense didn’t just rack up stats—it rewrote the book on how the game could be played.
The Mahomes-Mayfield Shootout (2016)
If you were lucky (or unlucky) enough to watch this game, you remember it well. OU and Texas Tech combined for an absurd 1,708 total yards in 2016, with Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes going throw-for-throw in a matchup that now sits atop the record books for most combined yards in a game. OU didn’t just win the shootout—they etched it in history.
Antonio Perkins’ Punt Return Hat Trick (2003)
Let’s not forget Antonio Perkins’ unforgettable night against UCLA in 2003. He returned three punts for touchdowns, tying the NCAA single-game record and earning a mention in ESPN’s broader list. It’s one of those electric Sooner moments you’ll never forget if you saw it live.
From Wilkinson to Switzer to Stoops and beyond, the Sooners have built a legacy that still echoes through college football every Saturday. ESPN just reminded everyone else what we already knew in Norman: The road to history runs through Oklahoma.