1945 vs. 1988: What Was the Greatest Year in Oklahoma State Athletics History?

PFB Articles
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Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/1945-vs-1988-what-was-the-greatest-year-in-oklahoma-state-athletics-history/

Comparing two of the greatest years in OSU sports history.

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National Championships are a great measure of a sports program. For me claiming the 1945 title in football some 70 years after it happened and all/most the players from that era now deceased seems kinda hollow. Titles are about the moment, Celebrating on the field, being presented a trophy, being the star on campus, being in the headlines the next day etc. I mean if in 2081, some committee states that the 2011 OSU football team should have played for the national title will a deceased Brandon Weeden really care?
I’ll go with 1988

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Funny you mention the 2011 team because the Colley Matrix, which is one the polls recognized by the NCAA in its list national title selectors, chose OSU as national champion that season.

To be fair, the school doesn’t claim it nor should they. I also agree that the 45 natty is completely hollow and dare I say “participation trophy”-esque. I wish they would take that off the stadium.

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Two completely different era of college athletics so it’s apples to oranges. That being said, I would probably go with 1988 as well.

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I was a student at OSU in ‘88. Amazing time to be a cowboy fan. Sanders was amazing, to say the least. Other-worldly, to say the most.

And it wasn’t long after this that men’s basketball became a juggernaut (when football went into the crapper).

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Agreed

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I don’t know how you can place 1988 above OSU’s only “national championship” team that went undefeated. I agree what Barry did is unheard of and probably won’t be broken anytime soon. However, I can’t place a 10-2 team that lost to its rival (who wasn’t as good as OSU that year) above the 1945 season.

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It’s 88. Gotta be. The football world will still remember and watch Barry highlights for decades to come. He’s multi generational. Same with John Smith. Kurland is still a giant figure in the history of the sport, but he’s still doesn’t have the same fame and magic around him like Barry or John. Also just the sheer amount of a winning culture in 88 is nuts all around.

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Gotta go with Barry Sanders and 1988. He as so much fun to watch. Too bad he had to play behind Thurman Thomas who was also fabulous but not as good as Barry. Sanders was just electric. The guy could start and stop on a dime and his first steps were just explosive. I have never seen a RB as shift as he was. The mid to late 70’s through the 80’s was such a great time for OSU running backs. Terry Miller, Otis Anderson, Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders were just amazing backs.

Sanders was solely responsible for beating OU, even Switzer said so.

And it is too bad that Sanders retired from football before becoming the all time rushing leader.

I was at OSU from 76-81. I continued go to games until 1989 when I moved away.

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OSU didn’t beat OU with Sanders

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My mistake, it was when we had Thurman Thomas. It was so long ago.

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Thurman Thomas never beat OU either.

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Wow, my memory is shot, LOL.

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The question involved all sports, but you only looked at football. Claiming a national title 70 years after it happened is weak. OSU finished 5th in the AP that year.

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Feels Like 88

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I don’t disagree it’s weak. I’m just saying I don’t understand how a “national championship” season doesn’t get priority over one single player’s historic season?

Makes me think that’s why under Gundy we only had one conference title in 20+ years. Because we prioritize an individual over the program itself. Hopefully Eric Morris can change that.

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Easy, I don’t count it as a national championship.

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88 baby! I was on campus (supposedly in school) for ALL of it! Great times…
GO POKES!!!

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You might not. However, the school does since it’s inside BPS for everyone’s view :+1:.

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I was a senior when Barry won the Heisman. Amazing to watch him. ESPN has/ had an amazing presentation during the Heisman about his season. NCAA team wrestling champions in addition to what you mentioned.

EJ Pfister won golf individual title - at that point, there were only a few cowboys to accomplish that. Unfortunately it did not translate to the next level.

You did not mention Robin Ventura won the Golden Spikes award - Baseball equivalent of Heisman.

Disappointing end to baseball season losing to Wichita State and not making it to CWS. and the Brent Parker dropped pass in the end zone against zero u was crushing. But a great year for the Cowboys.