It’s nearly impossible to mention the history of Oklahoma athletics without bringing up their cross-state opponent Texas. The rivalry has been fierce for over a century, so strong that it was given a nickname: The Red River Rivalry.
The rivalry began in 1900, when Texas beat Oklahoma 28-2, but became an annual tradition in 1929. The Red River Rivalry, Red River Shootout, Red River Showdown or whatever fans want to call it, is named for the Red River, a river that forms part of the border between the two states.
Games have taken place in the Cotton Bowl Stadium since 1932. Located in Fair Park in Dallas, the site splits the drive between the campuses in Norman and Austin nearly in half, making it the perfect neutral site for a yearly game.
The winner of the matchup is awarded a 10-gallon gold hat, the “Golden Hat,” and is held by the winner for a full year until the next game occurs, always on the second Saturday of October.
What makes this game so special, and recognized as one of the top rivalries in all of college sports, is the attractions and festivities of the entire event. The game is held during the Texas State Fair, allowing fans to go from turkey legs and Ferris wheels to hard-hitting college football in a matter of minutes.
Half of the tickets go to Longhorn fans and the other half go to the Sooners. Right at the 50-yard line, the halves are split, making for a beautiful area view of Sooner crimson met by Longhorn burnt orange.
In this year’s Learfield Directors Cup, awarded to the best athletic program in the nation, Texas took home the trophy, but Oklahoma put up a respectable 24th overall finish. Texas was the best athletic school in the Big 12 last year, while Oklahoma was third. However, Oklahoma would’ve placed ninth in the SEC if both teams had been in the conference last year, a testament to the strength of the conference the teams are joining.
Texas leads the overall series with 63 wins to Oklahoma’s 51, but the Sooners have had the upper hand in recent history. Oklahoma has won 16 of the last 24 games dating back to 2000, and has taken five of the last six matchups. Even with the drastic change of joining the SEC, the two teams will be able to continue to compete, with the Red River Rivalry’s venue set to remain in Fair Park through 2036.
The Sooners have built an illustrious history in college athletics, none more exemplary than with its football program,but more than anything the Sooners are known for their participation, success and ferocity as one of the two teams that gets to call itself a Red River Rival.
