The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is played every October at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. With both teams now in the SEC, the stakes have never been higher.
History (Source: Sports Reference, Cotton Bowl records):
- All-time series: One of the most played and closely contested rivalries in college football history.
- Played at the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas since 1929.
- The stadium splits 50/50: Texas in burnt orange on one side, Oklahoma in crimson on the other. The visual is one of the most iconic in sports.
Why the SEC adds stakes:
- Previously a Big 12 game. Now an SEC interdivision rivalry game.
- The result impacts SEC standings, not just bragging rights. A loss could mean missing the SEC Championship Game.
- CFP implications are higher. SEC wins carry more weight with the selection committee.
The DFW experience:
- The State Fair of Texas runs during the game. It is an all-day event, not just a football game.
- Fletcher's Corny Dogs and Big Tex are as much a part of the tradition as the game itself.
- The Fair Park area is packed from 8 AM. Tailgating in the parking lots is legendary.
- Tickets are distributed 50/50 to each school. Face value is approximately $150-250. Secondary market: $400-800+ for good seats.
For DFW residents: This is the single best sporting event that happens in Dallas every year. Even if you have no connection to either school, the atmosphere at Fair Park during the Red River Rivalry is something every DFW resident should experience.
Sources:
- Sports Reference — series history
- Cotton Bowl — stadium information
- State Fair of Texas — event details
- SEC — scheduling format
Whats your experience been?
I have attended 15 Red River games. The split stadium is the single best visual in all of college football. Half burnt orange, half crimson, with the Cotton Bowl shaking. Nothing compares.