The game was notable as Oklahoma's last under longtime head coach Bob Stoops prior to his retirement.
Oklahoma was the Big 12 champion and the conference's highest ranked at 7th, therefore sending the Sooners to the Sugar Bowl.
That started a six-game win streak that put the Tigers into the national Top 10.
Towards the end of the season, injuries began to plague the Tigers, and they lost 2 of their final 3 games.
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.