1973 Bluebonnet Bowl

The 1973 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, part of the 1973 bowl game season, took place on December 29, 1973, at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The competing teams were the Tulane Green Wave and Houston Cougars, with each competing as a football independent. Houston won the game 47–7.

Houston
The 1973 Houston squad finished the regular season with a 10–1 record with its lone loss coming against Auburn. The 10–1 record was the best recorded in the school's history to that point. The appearance marked the third for Houston in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, and their fifth overall bowl game.

Tulane
The 1973 Tulane squad finished the regular season with a 9–2 record with losses coming against and Maryland. Prior to victory over, the Green Wave accepted an invitation to play in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. The appearance marked the first for Tulane in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, and their fifth overall bowl game.