Wagons east Unlike other states, Oklahoma's football powers have no problem playing in-state foes. When the Sooners visit Tulsa, everybody wins. When the Sooners visit Tulsa, everybody wins
Some college football powers will play in-state foes, so long as it's on home turf. Ohio State has played 13 games against Ohio schools since 1998, all in Columbus. Michigan has played Michigan directional schools six times since 1943, all in Ann Arbor.
But tonight on 11th Street, the Sooners play at Skelly Field for the third time in 20 years. The OU-Tulsa football rivalry, revived in 1979 for the first time since World War II, has become a mutually beneficial series, especially when the Sooners travel the Turner Turnpike.
"There's a great buzz about this game” in Tulsa, said TU athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
Chances are, the Sooners will drum the Golden Hurricane. But even so, Tulsa will have reaped great benefits. The Hurricane gets a state institution and national power on its home turf, an ESPN telecast that brings precious visibility to Conference USA, plus an automatic sellout.
And you never know; Tulsa could go all Appalachian State on the Sooners.
"Our kids are pretty fired up,” said TU coach Todd Graham.
OU's benefits are different but still ample. The Sooners take their show to a huge alumni base. They get a couple of home games in return. Get a solid opponent, now that Tulsa has improved in recent seasons. Get to be good neighbors.
"It is good for the state,” said Bob Stoops. "I like the proximity. Expense wise, they're good for both schools. I think for the communities, it's great.”
This is how schools should work together. Not all in-state foes are so cordial. Ole Miss dropped Southern Miss in 1984 and Mississippi State did the same in 1990. LSU hasn't played at Tulane since 1994 and hasn't played at Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe or Louisiana Tech since World War II. Since the 1995 breakup of the Southwest Conference, Texas A&M has played SMU only once and Houston, Rice or TCU not at all.
OU-Tulsa and OSU-Tulsa relations have run hot and cold over the years. The Sooners pulled out of the basketball series in the 1980s, and the Cowboys did the same in the '90s. OSU-TU football played most years in the '80s and '90s but the schools have met only twice this decade.
Those relations have warmed. "I don't think any of us think playing every year is good or necessary,” Cunningham said.
OSU-TU football is back on the docket with three games from 2010-2012. Tulsa plays at OU in 2009 and 2011.
The OU-Tulsa basketball series has resumed, and the OSU-Tulsa hoops series resumes in November 2008.
And tonight on the TU campus, the most special of events occurs. The Sooners arrive, and no matter the score, everybody wins.
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
You guys are right, Paul Smith is "varsity" Tulsa. He could play 4th string QB for OU.
Nobody in Texas cares about eastern oklahoma. If you think you got something...then come wrestle us. Molina high school. January 19. we got L.D. Bell and South Grand Prarie JV and Tuscon Arizona HS. We can fit you in.
Always an occasional outcry that Arkansas won't play A-State yet Arkansas will play everyone else in A-State's conference (since 2003 LA Monroe, LA Lafayette and this year Troy, North Texas and Florida International). In 2006 Arkansas even played SE Missouri State but no chance for ASU. Maybe the new AD there will make a diference.
LSU played LaTech in 2003 and will again this season.
OU/OSU and Arkansas @ Tulsa would be a good game for everyone involved but I'm sure no one really wants to give up home field advantage.
As a lifelong Sooner fan it is nice to have OU come to Tulsa every now and then. I live in Tulsa, and TU is finally getting to the point that they are starting to get some respect nationally, so OU wont look like they are playing just some chump team. I also, agree that it helps in recruiting when OU comes to town to showcase there talent in NE OKLA. We're talking total metro area of close to 900,000 people so it has to help in the exposure. I root for TU all year minus when they play OU, and this will basically be a homegame for OU, 75% to 80% of the the crowd will be wearing the crimson and cream. But, good luck TU, after tonight.
Chris - sounds like your the one who didn't read the article. Notice how it said that OU and OSU (and Arkansas BTW) "pulled out" of the series in both B-ball and F-ball. Sounds like they were ones who didn't want to play in Tulsa. BTW, even the "great" Billy Tubbs admitted he never wanted to play Tulsa 'cause he was tired of them whipping the Sooners.
Jody--I guess you didn't read the article, and pretty much don't know what you are talking about! OSU has played Tulsa in the past and has then scheduled for both basketball and football. You might try reading the whole article next time.
It's a shame that OSU and Arkansas are afraid to play in Tulsa because both schools have such large alumni bases here. Plus when the newly renovated Chapman Stadium debuts in 2008, it will be a truly great facility to play in.
I agree with the gist of Berry's Argument. But for the record. Ohio State played AT Cincinnati--for the first time in 91 years--in the Nat'l. Champ year of 2002. They barely pulled out a victory 23-19, so that probably proves Berry's point just the same--OSU won't be RETURNING to UC anytime soon!
From my reading Tulsa wanted exposure of a nationally televised game and espn said it would throw it up but had to be on a Friday night. Thus the reason for game on a Friday. Yes stinks for high school football but Tulsa wants and needs some national exposure for the program and the school. Thoughts from Iowa :)
It stinks that it will interfere with the traditional HS games, but schools have had enough notice to make the necessary changes if they wanted to. I do like the fact that two state schools will be featured in a primetime game though.
The high schools agreed to it Brian...at least the OSSAA did, they could easily move their games to thursday night or saturday....happens everywhere...welcome to 2007!
Don't necessarily like the title that "Everbody Wins". I would imagine all the high schools that have a drop in attendance and revenue, because this game is being played on a Friday Night, are not winners in this match up.
Who's hot, who's not: Tonight's passers, Sooners'... 09/21/2007 Hot • Sam Bradford: Bradford is third in the country in passing efficiency, having completed almost 80 percent of his passes in his first three starts....
Point/Counterpoint 09/21/2007 If you had to pick between Sam Bradford or Paul Smith to lead your team the rest of the season, who would you choose? Jake Trotter: This is like choosing...
Keys to the game 09/21/2007 Key players Oklahoma, Free safety Nic Harris: Tulsa receivers were able to get behind the BYU defensive backs multiple times on their way to 55 points...
The man in the middle Linebacker Lofton is OU's... 09/21/2007 NORMAN — Monday evening, Curtis Lofton pushed himself so hard in linebacker drills he lost his lunch. "There's noodles on the 26-yard line right now,”...
The list 09/21/2007 3-0 start a good sign This year marks Oklahoma's 30th 3-0 start since joining the Big 6 Conference in 1928. In the previous 29 such seasons, OU's combined...
Standout linebackers at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops 09/21/2007 It's a constant. Coach Bob Stoops has always had standout linebackers since he's been at OU. After three strong performances, Curtis Lofton appears to be the...
TU's young receivers learning fast 09/21/2007 TULSA — Coming into this season, Tulsa had a problem that's turned out to be no problem at all. The problem was supposed to be the TU pass receiving corps....
17
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
What's with the (yellow?) non-existent goalines? Can Tulsa not afford a little chalk? Maybe they should play the game at Union or Jenks!
LSU played LaTech in 2003 and will again this season.
OU/OSU and Arkansas @ Tulsa would be a good game for everyone involved but I'm sure no one really wants to give up home field advantage.