The Big 12 Conference is one of the premier athletic conferences in the NCAA. It is home to some of the most successful college programs in the United States. Each year, the conference crowns a champion who is then eligible to compete in the NCAA College Football Playoff. This year, the team at the top of the Big 12 standings is the Oklahoma Sooners.
History of the Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners football program was established in 1895, making it one of the oldest programs in the country. Throughout the years, the team has developed a strong rivalry with Texas and the two teams have battled for the Big 12 title many times. Oklahoma has also developed strong rivalries with other teams in the conference, such as Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Baylor.
The Sooners have won seven Big 12 championships since 2000, including four consecutive titles from 2006-2009. They have also won five national championships during that same time period. They have also won numerous bowl games, including the Orange Bowl in 2003, the Sugar Bowl in 2004, and the Cotton Bowl in 2006.
The 2020 Oklahoma Sooners
The 2020 Oklahoma Sooners team is led by head coach Lincoln Riley, who is in his fifth season at the helm. The Sooners have been a consistently successful program under Riley, making it to the College Football Playoff in 2018 and winning the Big 12 title in 2019. This year, they are undefeated and have been the top-ranked team in the Big 12 since the season began.
The team is led by quarterback Spencer Rattler, who is having an impressive freshman season. Rattler has thrown for over 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also running for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The Sooners’ offense is also bolstered by running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who has rushed for over 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. The team has also been bolstered by the return of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is a likely first-round NFL draft pick.
The Sooners’ defense has been stout this season, ranking in the top 20 in points allowed per game. The defense is led by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who leads the team with 53 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. The defense also features a strong secondary, featuring cornerback Tre Brown, who has nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Big 12 Championship Game
The Sooners will face the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship Game on December 19th. This game will determine the Big 12 champion and will be the deciding factor as to whether or not the Sooners will make it to the College Football Playoff.
The Sooners have beaten the Cyclones in their last two meetings, including a 41-21 victory in Ames earlier this season. The Sooners have the advantage in this matchup, as they are the higher-ranked team and have been dominant on both sides of the ball all season.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma Sooners are the top-ranked team in the Big 12 and are undefeated this season. They have been led by head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Spencer Rattler and have a strong offense and defense. They will face the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship Game and will be looking to capture their eighth Big 12 title in the past 20 years. With a win, the Sooners will likely make it to the College Football Playoff and have a chance to compete for a national championship.