1988 Orange Bowl #1 Oklahoma vs #2 Miami No Huddle

[@globalspiritualrevolutionmedia]

No team was on Miami and Oklahoma’s Level during that time!

[@mattbradford8227]

Back when Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer and their teams were in their prime. In the 1987 college season, Okla and Miami was playing chess and everybody else was playing checkers. Such talent from those schools.

[@randallmartin4757]

Both programs from 1985 to 1987 came close to winning 3 straight titles... OU 3 wins would have had it.. Miami 2 wins from it... Great programs and coaches and lots of NFL players... ❤🎉❤

[@M1643]

From 1985 to 1987 Oklahoma went 33-3... All 3 losses were to Miami

[@nathaniellathy6559]

Would have been cool to see Oklahoma play Penn State again in 86. After Bowl games

[@Mike-dg6cs]

And somehow still Oklahoma was ranked ahead of Miami for all 3 years until miami beat them

[@ronaldlamascus1944]

@@Mike-dg6csbecause Oklahoma was the better team.

[@marso1384]

@@ronaldlamascus1944 "Better team" yet lose all three to the supposed lesser team. LOL, yeah right.

[@dimwit818]

Along with OU being favored in all 3. That just amazes me. It was warranted in 85 as Miami was coming off a down year and was on the road but no one was beating them at the OB. No one. 😂😂

[@davidk6269]

Epic game. I remember watching this live. Switzer had no answer for the defensive speed of Miami. Jimmy Johnson totally owned Barry Switzer's Sooners throughout the 80's.

[@thfzn3130]

Well, not really. Jimmy was the coach at OSU in the early 80’s and he never beat Switzer and OU while he was there.

[@davidk6269]

@@thfzn3130 True, but given the talent differential between the schools, I find it hard to blame those loses on Jimmy Johnson. When Jimmy got to a school that could recruit talent comparable to OU, Jimmy out-coached Switzer.

[@thfzn3130]

@@davidk6269 Miami was also a tough place to play. I guess I should point out Switzer won the only match up in the pros.

[@-sensibleChris]

Lol, this was a home game for Mianu, and they squeaked out a very close win.

[@jesusrivera743]

For Jimmy payback is a bitch that’s for all those times Switzer whipped his butt when he coached the Oklahoma State cowboys in the Big Eight conference

[@allengreene9954]

Last year for NBC having the Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and the Orange Bowl.

[@BookClubDisaster]

NBC was better at everything. Baseball, college football. But they kept losing contracts.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

We don't have any quality announcers like Don Cirque and Bob Trumpy anymore.

[@phillipcotton833]

I commented on Crique on another game thread. It's so weird to me how he seemingly just disappeared. His voice was synonymous with the Orange Bowl.

[@johnmanning4097]

I am a Oklahoma fan..My Sooners never had a chance in this game.With no passing game going against all that SPEED Miami had on DEFENSE.

[@jgringo5516]

They were missing J Hollieway at QB. Thompson played well. 7-7 at half. They had a chance if TE Jackson didn’t fumble that reception in 4th quarter in Miami territory. It wasn’t Sooners best backfield I saw back then, but their defense was probably the best. Miami threw to RBs out of the backfield mostly this game to move the chains. Those 2 long FG by Miami kicker proved the difference. Bama & Nebraska would hammer Miami in the 90’s without either having much of a pass game. In this one, Sooners just didn’t have that special juice in the backfield.

[@-sensibleChris]

Stull very close though like you said. Lyell Carr was a load to handle. Miami was hurting after this physical game.

[@johnmanning4097]

@@-sensibleChris no Miami defense put a hurt on Oklahoma’s offense.….They were fast and physical and they shut down Lydell Carr at fullback.

[@bluebirdconundrum]

Miami was the team of the 80s, but the Hurricanes had a bit of luck that helped them beat Oklahoma three straight times. In the first game in Norman, OU lost Troy Aikman before halftime, and given the problems that he gave Miami prior to his injury, OU probably would have won that game with him healthy. The second game was in Miami and Miami was clearly the better team; the Hurricanes likely would have won no matter where that game was played. The game in this video - the '88 Orange Bowl - was also winnable for OU, but the Sooners couldn't overcome Miami's home-field advantage and the fact that they had to start a backup freshman quarterback that couldn't pass at all (which mattered because OU actually had talented receivers). Miami no doubt presaged where football was going in the future, but the mid-80s Sooner teams should have won at least one of their three games against the Hurricanes. Other teams that were not as good as OU - specifically, Tennessee, Florida, and Penn State - found ways to beat Miami in these years, sometimes decisively.

[@dentonyoung4314]

Wow, Miami completely shut down the wishbone. They won this game with defense and a great FG kicker.

[@nathaniellathy6559]

And they had an offense. A complete team

[@DMS-pq8]

Miami shutdown every kind of offense in those days

[@SJM6791]

You don’t see hitting like this anymore. This game was a brawl from start to finish.

[@Maal7432]

I miss it!

[@aaronsims5109]

The Hurricane defense was HELLACIOUS and littered with NFL players at every level ...They were like a pack of hyenas , The "BONE" had no chance

[@BookClubDisaster]

I'm not really a fan of either team, but you gotta admit, it didn't hurt that Miami got to play so many bowl games in their home stadium.

[@raycrowley4514]

This is for the 87 national championship

[@beaupeyton]

This game was the end of the wishbone.

[@dentonyoung4314]

@@beaupeyton Nebraska still used some wishbone afterwards, and the service academies still do use the triple option.

[@nathaniellathy6559]

I rooted for Miami this game. Sure don't miss them winning Natties. 😂😅

[@bigdummy7872]

I wasn't able to watch this game because I was at the Rose Bowl game that day, and it took forever to get home!😁

[@baselt6552]

Oklahoma had such a great Offensive line and receiver weapons like keith jackson an all american TE. It is a mystery how barry switzer relied 99% on the rushing wishbone option and neglected any semblance of a passing game . with a little passing game OU wins this game as OU had a fantastic defense as well.

[@WalterWhiteFootballSharing]

Innovation and change comes when you're tired of getting your ass kicked, not after decades of winning championships doing it YOUR way. It takes heartbreak and pain to move away from what you know best.

[@WalterWhiteFootballSharing]

You do what you know how to do. When coaches radically change their offense or defense and it works we iconize them like Andy Reid. Nobody remembers all the failures of storied coaches changing schemes and failing. After decades of success, the idea He'd fire his buddy coordinator and bring in a different coordinator to change the offense, because of a few talented kids...

[@baselt6552]

@@WalterWhiteFootballSharing but he should have seen Miami and others having a more balanced offense , but he stuck to an absolute archaic power running which can win the big 8 , but not a National championship. Ironically the passing plays in the crucial games made the difference ( all passes to Keith Jackson ) , but barry neglected the pass so much to OU’s detriment .

[@Maal7432]

@@WalterWhiteFootballSharing Good point!

[@markstepanekii388]

@@baselt6552 now do Osborne at Nebraska after this game

[@phillipcotton833]

I watched Oklahoma run the "Bone" with precision throughout the late 70's,& mid 80's........,& then a HURRICANE touched down. It was hard to watch.

[@michaelhfinkel]

THANK YOU!! That's my theme music on the opening (just a clip, but great to hear it)

[@Canedude08]

Hey, you have the full version available anywhere?

[@michaelhfinkel]

@@Canedude08 Working on getting a digital copy from a reel to reel

[@miamikid13]

I was at this game with my father and brother.

[@Mike-dg6cs]

How was Oklahoma ranked ahead of Miami for all 3 years until Miami beat them? Id say after the 1st win Miami should of been ranked ahead of Miami but the bcs snubs Miami

[@LineMountain]

Hard to believe Oklahoma was favored

[@RCHorn7]

OU was favored in the previous two games as well. Crazy when you think of it. Miami proved that their dominance over OU waa no fluke.

[@dimwit818]

Especially with Holieway out with the knee injury

[@Biggdoom344]

Miami was Oklahoma’s krytonite. They were about the only team that had the speed on the perimeter so they could focus on stuffing the FB. Second, OU had no passing game so Miami could sell out on the run. OU played well defensively but in that humidity and lack of offense they got tired.

[@Nu-Kreation]

@@Biggdoom344 U right about that, Oklahoma could not beat the Miami hurricane. If u remember Jimmy Johnson came from Oklahoma state. So he was around the wishbone all the time, playing against them w/Oklahoma state. So Jimmy didn't have the talent like he did @ Miami. He knew what he needed was speed. If he had the speed & talent, he probably could have beaten them w/Oklahoma state.

[@Biggdoom344]

@@RCHorn7 OU was favored simply because Miami had become very unlikable. They could not see past the antics to know they were also extremely talented even if they had little class.

[@DMS-pq8]

Funny that Miami was the underdog considering they had beat Oklahoma in Norman earlier in the season

[@jeremymccage9213]

Both teams always played close I remember these games. Miami always got us but we continue to stay top 8 every year it seems while Miami hasn't been doing nothing sense 20001. I as ou fan wouldn't trade the then for now.

[@nopriors]

You obviously stop the wishbone with horse collar. I know it’s dangerous but it was fun to watch.

[@baselt6552]

If OU had any semblence of a passing attack it could have won this game. Switzer should have seen the reality of some defenses like Um and others stopping the wishbone. Heck they did it 3 times in a row. But he never adjusted and stayed one dimensional. The losses to arkansas in 78 , to UW and several other stout defenses agains the wishbnone, should have made him realize he cannot be one dimensional , but never adjusted even after he saw what aikman did to the Miami defense in 85 in Norman , where the passing game was humming and aikman was scortching the canes with passing. That game was pivotal. The 88 loss to the canes in this fashion was the end of the wishbone and switzer basically. Painful.

[@jabbers081769]

SteelBuck 6 Long time no talk, I need to talk to you if possible, I have plenty of Oklahoma game for you to your speed game! Also, your welcome to look at my championships in all sports on my page and anyone is welcome to join as well

[@Claude-sq2fy]

And they screwed Miami in 99 for fsu to play the spooners the spooners world not have the natty for medium game bob stoops 😅

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

On paper, this should have been like the 2006 Rose Bowl. Two undefeated powerhouse teams on a collision course. It just didn’t have the same magic

[@Biggdoom344]

That’s because by mid third quarter it was clear OU could not win and it was basically a slow death.

[@boneeatingsilicate580]

Need more UM-OU, there always fun and brawls galore

[@tracyyoung224]

Bratton was great.

[@kurtgreaser988]

Unfortunately for him, that injury he received in the 4th quarter killed his career.

[@jasonwilkins4864]

Is this the game were Bugs Bunny lets a fart at the end of the game?

[@MGAF688]

Johnson > Switzer

[@miamicaneno1]

How many horse collar calls in this lol Today’s game is so soft

[@topher3178]

They gave a 5 yard penalty for a face mask lol

[@lynnerose7891]

Yeah bc TBI is not a big deal. The only thing soft is your brain. Hush.

[@lynnerose7891]

@@topher3178 you could also get one for 15. Now there’s an instant 15 bc the idea of paralyzed FB players isn’t exactly popular. Players today are so much faster and bigger it’s not funny.

[@Maal7432]

@@lynnerose7891 Football was better then!

[@Maal7432]

@@lynnerose7891 They’re not that much faster. And players back then were TOUGHER!

[@tedwhitsett2894]

Good ole TN whooping in 86 sugar

[@LizardCane]

Wrong game chief

[@allenfitch2996]

OU passing game was an embarrassment

[@robertdodd8169]

Wishbone looking old and not effective by this time.

[@agoo7581]

I think we need to address just how overrated Barry Switzer was as a coach. Sacrilege I know, but just think the timeline through. Two of Switzers three national titles came on the heels of Chuck Fairbanks (who would have been an OU legend had he not gone to the NFL). You can give him as much credit for those as you can give Larry Coker for Miami;s run in the 2000s. Shortly after, OU, was very mediocre, coming off three straight four loss seasons in the early 80s. You can give him some credit for being OU back in the mid 80s with some good recruiting, but just one NC with those rosters is pretty underwhelming. Those OU teams in the Mid 80s, as good as they looked, were mistake and dropped some games that they shouldn't have (IE Kansas, and Washington). As much as we like to mythologize those 80s miami teams (that benefited greatly from soft schedules being independent at the time, as well as being able to play their bowl games in their home stadium), what gave them the edge was that Jimmy Johnson was a far better in-game coach then barry Switzer, which had more to do with their wins over OU than any perceived gap in talent that revisionists might have you believe.

[@beemajic5773]

I think it had more to do with speed than talent if that makes sense. Oklahoma might have had better football players in some areas, but Miami had better team speed. The Hurricanes would turn safeties into linebackers, linebackers to defensive ends, and defensive ends to tackles. They just blitzed and overwhelmed Oklahoma's running game before it got started, meaning the only ways the Sooners could consistently counter was with big play speed and a passing game. They had neither consistently. It was just a bad matchup. Nebraska learned from Oklahoma's failures and got faster in the offensive backfield and on defense to become arguably the best program of the 90's at their peak. Southern teams were playing with fire when blitzing gaps against Nebraska's run heavy option offense because they had quarterbacks and fullbacks who had the speed to score from almost anywhere on the field. On defense they had 100 meter sprinters playing linebacker. Those late 80's and early 90's Colorado teams also influenced Nebraska to get faster.

[@toddsands6000]

I think talent and location play key parts to the way head coach Barry Switzer formulized the famed wishbone attack. I can't recall any QB that OU had other than Troy Aikman that was good enough to become an NFL QB. And Aikman eventually transferred to UCLA because his passing talent would never flourish at OU. I think it was a bit difficult recruiting top QBs in that part of the country. Even during the 1980's. The old Big 8 conference was about running the football through defenses. And Barry Switzer's offense was highly successful. I mentioned this topic on another post. It's not as if the "U" was the first team to expose the wishbone attack. Head coach Lou Holtz when he led the Razorbacks in the 1978 Orange Bowl totally outplayed OU in that game. Arkansas' defense totally nullified the wishbone. One thing I respected about coach Barry Switzer despite being a UM fan, that man knew how to recruit players that adapted to his system. His players were very loyal. That's also due to Barry Switzer growing up dirt poor himself living in the projects. The players he recruited definitely knew how to relate to him. I read about this from past articles. Former SF 49ers and Dallas Cowboys legend Charles Haley mentioned this.

[@unclejj13er75]

OU was totally one dimensional and predictable. When they ran a few counter plays and traps they gained good yardage. But they stuck with the same formula and got hosed. Other college teams played option ball back then-but they had better schemes. Miami knew the playbook and shut it down.