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Oklahoma football: Ranking Sooners’ future non-conference opponents

By Christopher Dukes

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: The Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: The Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Temple | 2024 (home) | 2025 (away)

All-time series record: Tied 1-1
Last meeting: 1942 – Temple 14, Oklahoma 7

Not much to talk about with this one really as the Owls aren’t exactly college football royalty, but still a pretty decent team from the American Athletic conference. Barring some major unforeseen circumstances, these two games won’t even be the best non-conference matchups for the Sooners in their particular seasons as they fall in the same years as games against Tennessee and Michigan.

One small highlight for Oklahoma fans could be a trip to Philadelphia. What’s better for a Sooner faithful than a weekend that includes the Liberty Bell, the Rocky statue and watching some live Oklahoma football?

Tennessee | 2020 (home) | 2024 (away)

All-time series record: Oklahoma leads 3-1
Last meeting: 2015 – Oklahoma 31, Tennessee 24 2 OT

The Sooners and Vols have 13 combined claimed national titles, both rank in the top 10 in wins, all-time draft picks and first-round draft picks. The two programs have each been to 52 bowl games apiece. Add to that the recent history between the two teams that includes a recent all-time classic in 2015 and you’ve got the makings for another great series. The legend of Baker Mayfield was born thanks to that meeting, showing just how magic it can be when two big-time teams get together for a non-conference tilt.

Sure the Vols aren’t up to their usual standard right now, but blueblood programs don’t stay down forever and you would have to be pretty naive to think that Rocky Top is going to be mediocre indefinitely. As far as tailgating goes, most Sooner fans who made the trip four years ago will tell you that a visit to Knoxville in the early fall could very well be a bucket list item for college football purists. And what OU fan doesn’t want to see the birthplace of the legend of Baker Mayfield?

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