Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Yesterday it was originally reported by FBSchedules.com that the Oklahoma Sooners and the Clemson Tigers have scheduled a home-and-home series... for the 2035 and 2036 seasons. Today, it was announced officially. Oh boy...

It’s become common practice for programs to schedule non-conference games this far in advance, but the wait for these two games is almost agonizingly long because of how hot each team is right now and how juicy this matchup could potentially be. That said, there’s no telling what kind of state either of these programs will be in 16 to 17 years from now, so one can only hope both are still hovering within the top 10.

Clemson is scheduled to host the first meeting in ‘35, then the game will shift to Oklahoma in ‘36. It’s not that big of a deal, but that does go against what OU has established in recent home-and-home matchups. For example, the Sooners hosted the first of the two-game series with Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State, and UCLA.

What particularly fascinates me about this series is how both programs’ current head coaches could conceivably remain the same by the time these games are played. 49-year-old Dabo Swinney is as comfortable as anybody as far as job security goes, and it appears his program is only strengthening by the season. Then there’s Lincoln Riley, who has youth on his side and a mind everybody wants to learn from. Still, the list of variables that could change either coach’s situations is long, but them going head-to-head when this thing finally kicks off is a realistic possibility.

Hopefully these are some games for the ages. Oklahoma better start hitting the recruiting trail hard to find those two-year-old superstars before they verbally commit to the pre-school route.

Now for today’s Hot Links! Alex Grinch is concerned with Oklahoma’s depth in the secondary, Jarvis Baxter is joining the Army, and more!

OU Links

• Kliff Kingsbury just needs admit he’s all about Kyler Murray and he can’t wait for him to run Arizona’s offense. Okay, since it’s still not a done deal, he can’t do that, but every day it sure seems like that’s what he’s trying to say.

• OU Daily’s Vic Reynolds wrote about DC Alex Grinch and how his intense attitude is beginning to rub off on his players. Grinch preaches full speed on every snap, and stresses forcing turnovers as much as anything else.
• Speaking of Grinch, the Sooners’ new DC said it’s “alarming” how thin Oklahoma is in the secondary. It’s likely that several young players will have to step into the rotation from early on this fall.
• LB Levi Draper recently spoke with the media about how he’s recovered from injury and how the team’s adjusting to the new defensive style and teachings under Alex Grinch.
• Former Sooner WR Jarvis Baxter is joining the U.S. Army. The Garland, TX native originally came to Oklahoma as a walk-on in 2015, then earned a scholarship shortly thereafter. After receiving his degree, he is now on track to becoming one of our nation’s military service men. Congratulations, Jarvis! Much respect.

• Oklahoma Softball is back in Norman tonight for a little in-state action. The No. 2 Sooners host Tulsa at 6 p.m. CT. Check here for more information on how you can follow the game!

• I think I can safely speak for most people when I say Baker Mayfield should come back to the set with Colin Cowherd. After his phenomenal rookie season, and the Cleveland Browns’ recent acquisitions, there would be plenty for them to discuss. Also, Baker would probably drop the mic on Colin again, and that’s always worth it.

Around the Sports World

• Beginning in the 2019 NFL season, offensive and defensive pass interference will be considered reviewable plays, and coaches can challenge PI non-calls. This development obviously stems from the blatant non-call in the Saint-Rams playoff game in January. Hopefully they don’t mess this up, too.
• Chris Bosh had his Miami Heat jersey retirement ceremony Tuesday night, and he had throw it back to his days of firing up the crowd one more time. Awesome moment.

• After playing for the Green Bay Packers for more than a decade (and one season with the Oakland Raiders), WR Jordy Nelson is finally calling it a career.
• Lonzo Ball had his ‘BBB’ (Big Baller Brand) tattoo covered up with a pair of dice, but the internet is now dogging the cover-up because of how strange the dice look. Geometry is hard.

• Purdue Football is renaming its student gate outside the stadium after Tyler Trent, the super fan who passed away from his battle with cancer. Well done, Boilermakers.

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