The 1940 Sugar Bowl featured the top-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, and the fifth-ranked Tulane Green Wave.
Texas A&M entered the game with an undefeated record and a ranking of #1 in the AP Poll, having six shutouts while allowing just 18 points the whole year.
They entered the polls at #9 prior to their game against TCU on October 21, slowly rising up the ranks to #1 before their match-up against Texas on November 30, whom they shut out 20-0.
However, they rose back up to #9 with five straight wins, including victories over #14 Ole Miss and #20 Alabama, finishing as co-champion of the Southeastern Conference with Tennessee and Georgia Tech, their first title in five years.
In the third quarter, Tulane's Monnett Butler, former Oak Grove High School star, scored on a 2-yard touchdown run.