January 2, 1939 – Orange Bowl Stadium
 
Orange Bowl Declared “Major Bowl”
A match-up of undefeated Tennessee and Oklahoma propelled the Orange Bowl into the "major bowl" arena in 1939.
 
It took some marketing and public relations moves by the OBC's Ernie Seiler to bring the Sooners to South Florida. Seiler went to Norman and covered the campus with posters of palm trees, beaches, and Miami's young women. After a stirring pep talk to the OU squad, the Sooners voted to accept the Orange Bowl offer over more lucrative ones from the Cotton, Rose, and Sugar Bowls.
 
Seiler then asked Oklahoma head coach Tom Stidham to call his friend, head coach Bob Neyland at Tennessee, to set up the match-up. When Neyland accepted, the Orange Bowl had the game of the year. Oklahoma had recorded eight shutouts in its 10-0 season, while the Volunteers had seven in their 10-0 campaign.

Tennessee dominated the game, racking up 268 yards of offense and limiting the Sooners to 81. Play was rough in this contest as the teams racked up a total of 242 yards in penalties, and several players were ejected from the game.
 

                                          
SCORING SUMMARY
TENN: Foxx 8-yard run (Wyatt kick); TENN: Watt 22-yard FG; TENN: B. Wood 19-yard run on reverse (Foxx kick)
 
Tennessee Head Coach: General Robert Neyland
Oklahoma Head Coach: Tom Stidham