Is OU’s offense college football’s best ever?

When the thought first came to my mind, it sounded ridiculous. Oklahoma 2008: The best offense in the history of college football.

Now this was just a thought. I’m 24 years old and haven’t been around long enough to be able to state this with 100 percent confidence. But I had to look into it because Oklahoma’s 53.3 points per game are tops in the nation this season. So where do the Sooners rank in college football history?

I took a glance at the 2008 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records book (try saying that 10 times fast). The records in this book start in 1937, a year after the Associated Press poll started.

Let’s start with total points. The Sooners are on pace to shatter the record in this book. A quick look at the total points records since 1937:

  • 1. 2006 Hawaii: 656 points scored (14 games)
  • 2. 1983 Nebraska: 654 (13 games)
  • 3. 2005 Texas: 652 (13 games)
  • Through 12 games, OU is at 640. The Sooners only need 17 points against Missouri in Saturday’s Big 12 Championship game in Kansas City, Mo., to break the record. Something tells me they’ll do it.

OU coach Bob Stoops was asked if this was the best OU offense in his time (1999-present) in Norman, Okla.

“I don’t think there’s any question,” Stoops said on Monday’s Big 12 teleconference. “I wouldn’t have said that early in the year. But we’ve had 60-something points in the last four games. And (sophomore quarterback) Sam Bradford didn’t play in some of those games in the fourth quarter.”

OU has lit up the scoreboard for 62, 66, 65 and 61 points in its last four games.

Let’s continue with scoring offense. Here are the top five scoring offenses since 1937:

  • 1. 1944 Army (nine games): 56 points scored per game
  • 2. 1989 Houston: 53.5
  • 3. 2008 Oklahoma: 53.3
  • 4. 1995 Nebraska: 52.4
  • 5. 1983 Nebraska: 52

Of course, OU still has two more games to play, but the Sooners are up there.

They’ve done it with Bradford’s 46 touchdown passes, which lead the nation. Running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown have 31 combined scores on the ground and 1,990 combined rushing yards. And perhaps most important, the offensive line is making it all happen.

I’m curious to read everyone’s thoughts. What’s the best college football offense you’ve ever seen?

That’s all for now, friends. As always, discuss.