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Oklahoma and Tulane football programs schedule three-game series

By Jonathan Bass

Sep 13, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners sooner schooner during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners sooner schooner during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma Sooners and Tulane Green Wave football programs have agreed to a three-game series that will be played in 2017, 2021 and 2024. The first and final games will be held in Norman, while the middle contest will be played at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.

Following the announcement, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione offered the following statement:

"“For a variety of reasons, we are very excited to see this series come together and appreciate (Tulane Athletics Director) Rick Dickson for helping make it happen,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “Tulane’s program is in the midst of a resurgence, between the move to a new conference and the opening of the new on-campus stadium. We also have an opportunity to play in an area of Louisiana where we recruit and where a large number of OU graduates reside from all academic programs, but most notably from business, geology, engineering and energy disciplines. New Orleans is also the home of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the site where our Big 12 champion will play and a wonderful destination which is accessible for our great Sooner fans.”"

Tulane’s AD, Rick Dickson, released a statement on behalf of his program, as well.

"“We are excited to begin the series with the University of Oklahoma. There were a lot of moving pieces required to put this together and I thank my good friend (Oklahoma Director of Athletics) Joe Castiglione for working with us to ensure Oklahoma would come back to Yulman Stadium as soon as scheduling would allow.”"

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An immediate reaction: this is a win both programs. For Tulane, the Green Wave will likely receive a nice payday for traveling to Oklahoma. They can also pencil in a sellout for the home game in 2021. With a non-conference game already scheduled against Ole Miss that season, Tulane can expect plenty of national exposure.

As for Oklahoma, they get the treat of showcasing their talent in SEC territory against non-SEC-caliber talent. The Sooners can host all the talent in New Orleans during their road contest, making 2021 a season where they’ll squeeze out recruiting in both Louisiana and Texas (along with a traditional battle against former Big Eight conference rival Nebraska). Moreover, Tulane is a known brand whose success has ebbed and flowed over the past two decades – meaning that such a non-conference matchup likely won’t be viewed unfavorably by the College Football Playoff Committee.

It’s a victory for Oklahoma, Tulane and  fans of both programs (free excuse to travel to a football Mecca in Norman and to les bon temps roule in NOLA!).

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