Oklahoma reportedly still wants to play Tennessee; hope for non-conference play?

The Oklahoma Sooners don’t appear to be giving up hope to play some of their non-conference slate in 2020.

While the Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced they will play exclusively against conference foes in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Sooners still have other plans.

Per a report from Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman, the Sooners have petitioned the NCAA for a waiver that would allow them to move their 2020 football opener against Missouri State from Sept. 5 to Aug. 29 and then take on the Tennessee Volunteers as scheduled on Sept. 12 and the Army Black Knights as scheduled on Sept. 26.

Missouri State, who is coached by former Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino, had reportedly agreed to the proposed change.

Tramel explains that Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione’s thought process is that moving the opener would give his program a week off after each of its first two games, to allow time for players to be tested for COVID-19 in-between game weeks.

While the NCAA may not approve this waiver and non-conference play and the 2020 season for that matter are no slam-dunks to take place, this at least shows some programs are fighting to keep their entire 2020 schedule intact.

Perhaps there is still hope for the Kentucky Wildcats to face the Louisville Cardinals next season.