AAC Football: Most Important Non-Conference Games in 2017

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Sep 17, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Dontrell Hilliard (26) carries the ball as he is tackled from behind by Navy Midshipmen safety Daiquan Thomasson (26) in the second half at Yulman Stadium. Navy defeated Tulane 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

The Green Wave are not likely to make a run at an Access Bowl bid. Even getting to bowl eligibility would be a boon for the AAC cellar dweller. But sometimes the biggest non-conference game isn’t always about whether a team can win, but rather as a gauge of progress.

Games like this also certainly help the university athletic department. Thus, what looks on paper to be a completely hopeless endeavor is nevertheless the most important game of the year for Tulane.

Despite their respective histories, Oklahoma and Tulane have never faced one another on a football field. Tulane has not taken down a Power Five opponent since winning at Rutgers in 2010, back when the Scarlet Knights were still a Big East team.

The Sooners are not invincible, though, as last year’s season-opening loss to Houston proved. If the Green Wave can even keep things close in Norman, it would be an upset in itself.

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