College football bowl season is upon us and with it come the usual matchups between non-traditional opponents. Just about all of the lower tier bowl games will be played in the final two weeks of December. One of them has been a regular event since 2003, that being the Armed Forces Bowl played at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. The 2024 edition of that particular sporting spectacle pits two programs both of which are near and dear to Yours Truly: The Sooners of the University of Oklahoma and the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy.
It is well known to regular readers of this blog that I am both a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a retiree from the United States Navy. As a dedicated fan of the Sooners and college football in general ever since my days as a student at OU and before, it is a rare occurrence when I find myself in a situation where I can cheer equally hard for both teams playing on the same field. Regardless of the outcome, this game will likely provide one of those magical moments of heightened enthusiasm for the duration of all four quarters.
This latest bowl match was scheduled after Oklahoma’s first season in the Southeastern Conference playing against a slate of opponents which produced results that generated a lingering air of disappointment far and wide to the Sooner’s fan base. It has played out before the backdrop of NCAA rule modifications such as Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) and the Transfer Portal, two relatively recent innovations that have significantly reshaped college football as longtime fans have known it. After a ten-win season in 2023, there appeared to be a sudden dearth of seasoned players at skill positions. This was greatly exacerbated by a harder than usual bite by the injury bug. As if that wasn’t enough, coaching problems leading to the abrupt dismissal of former Sooners player Seth Littrell from the offensive coordinator post at mid-season contributed heavily to a W-L record that by Sooner metrics is substandard. Despite their mediocre record of 6-6, the 2024 Sooners have shown sustained flashes of brilliance against quality opponents such as then #7 Alabama, holding the Crimson Tide to no touchdowns for the first time in thirteen years. This season’s saving grace for OU was their dominant 4-0 record vs. non-conference opponents which helped greatly in their quest to reach bowl eligibility. This is the 26th straight year the Sooners have played in the post-season, a streak second in the nation only to playoff-bound Georgia, a team who has been “bowling” after each of the past 27 seasons.
The Midshipmen of Annapolis are coming to Fort Worth sporting a 9-3 record which includes a 31 to 13 pasting of archrival Army. One very important thing to remember about the Midshipmen of Navy as well as the Cadets of Army and the Falcons of Air Force is that service academies are NOT universities. The Naval Academy exists for the purpose of educating and producing surface and submarine warfare officers, Marine Corps infantry officers, naval flight officers of either jet, turboprop or rotary wing aircraft, and a chosen few medical, supply and civil engineer corps officers. One thing the Navy football team does NOT have to deal with is NIL or the transfer portal. Their players have to jump through a series of far more demanding hoops and must maintain a 3.75 grade point average which is not negotiable. The USNA is an institution that was made for natural born overachievers. Having been commanded by and having served with several of their graduates, I can personally vouch for the quality of product the Naval Academy produces. Of all the service academies, Navy has the lowest acceptance rate around 8%. Knowing what kind of scrutinous process applicants must undergo in order to be Congressionally appointed and all that goes with being a Midshipman of any class is what makes Navy’s regular season record of 9-3 appear that much more impressive.
Despite the woes and disappointments Oklahoma has suffered in their 2024 campaign, the Sooners are entering this contest as a 9-point favorite. Given a recent history of underwhelming post-season performances and results in their past two bowls, it is not unfair to say that the oddsmakers are being overly generous with such a pick. In light of the fact that OU’s starting QB Jackson Arnold has left the team and entered the transfer portal bound for Auburn, the starting job has fallen to his reliable backup Michael Hawkins, Jr. Much has been said about new coaching hires and new ballyhooed players arriving on campus via that same transfer portal, but the vast majority of the speculative commentary has been in reference to next season. As has been the case in the past, OU likely won’t know who is starting at what position until gametime. In spite of so many question marks, OU’s fans will deem it an honor of highest esteem to be able to play the Midshipmen on a neutral field. Oklahoma and Navy have only met once previously. That meeting resulted in OU being thoroughly dominated in a 10-0 home shutout on Owen Field during one of the program’s few sub-.500 seasons in 1965. The 2024 Armed Forces Bowl presents a shining opportunity for the Sooners to even the series record. Curiosity is building as to which team will be the readiest. Regardless, I am proud to be a fan of both teams. What’s more, I will be willing and able to yell, “BOOMER SOONER” and “GO NAVY” with equal zealousness. May the best team emerge victorious.
Thank you for reading.
