Oklahoma and Texas’ Red River Rivalry opens a new chapter in the SEC, establishing itself among the elite matchups in college football. This storied rivalry, which began in 1900, stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the most renowned contests in the Southeastern Conference, such as Alabama vs. Georgia, the Iron Bowl featuring Auburn vs. Alabama, the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and the legendary Florida-Georgia clashes in Jacksonville, famously dubbed the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
The atmosphere surrounding this matchup is electric. The Cotton Bowl in Dallas serves as a neutral ground, strategically positioned equidistant from the campuses in Norman, Oklahoma, and Austin, Texas. On game day, the stadium transforms into a sea of color, with half adorned in Oklahoma’s crimson and the other half in Texas’ burnt orange. Coinciding with the State Fair of Texas, the event becomes a festival of excitement and tradition, enhancing the overall experience for fans and players alike.
History plays a pivotal role in this fierce rivalry. Despite Alabama and Georgia’s recent high-stakes matchups, the long-standing significance of Oklahoma and Texas, boasting ten AP national titles combined—seven for Oklahoma and three for Texas—cannot be overlooked. In fact, the victor of this iconic game has often gone on to claim the national championship.
This year’s game is particularly noteworthy, as Texas enters ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1984, while Oklahoma sits at No. 18, seeking a significant boost with a victory.
“How could you not get excited for this game?” asked Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables. “This is everything you want to coach and play for at this level. The pageantry, the emotion, the intensity, the opportunity—it’s all here. This Saturday, college football will be on center stage.”
Over the years, this rivalry has produced numerous stars. Oklahoma boasts seven Heisman Trophy winners, while Texas has two, many of whom have shined in Red River Rivalry games.
In the late 1960s, Texas dominated with its run-based wishbone offense. Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer adopted and adapted this strategy in the 1970s, using an impressive lineup of running backs he recruited from Texas.
The unpredictability of these games adds to their allure. For instance, last year, Texas entered as the favorite, but Oklahoma triumphed with a last-minute touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel to Nic Anderson. Texas rebounded to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
In a remarkable twist, the two teams faced off twice in 2018. Texas claimed victory in the regular season, only for Oklahoma to win the rematch in the Big 12 Championship, propelling Kyler Murray to the Heisman Trophy.
With this rich backdrop, here are five significant games that have defined the rivalry.
2020: Oklahoma 53, Texas 45 (4 OT)
In a thrilling four-overtime battle, Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler connected with Drake Stoops—a testament to the legacy of former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops—for the game-winning touchdown. The crowd was limited to 24,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the atmosphere even more poignant.
Fans who attended witnessed a spectacular showdown. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger rushed for four touchdowns and threw two scoring passes in the closing minutes of regulation, leading to a tie and forcing overtime. However, Oklahoma sealed the victory with an interception by Tre’ Brown.
2008: Texas 45, Oklahoma 35
This game featured a clash of titans, with Oklahoma ranked No. 1 and Texas at No. 5. Despite Oklahoma’s early 11-point leads, Texas rallied back, highlighted by Jordan Shipley’s electrifying 96-yard kickoff return that shifted the momentum.
The matchup showcased an epic quarterback duel, as Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford threw for 387 yards and five touchdowns, while Texas’ Colt McCoy passed for 287 yards and one score. Following this victory, Texas ascended to the No. 1 ranking.
2001: Oklahoma 14, Texas 3
This game is etched in memory for a remarkable defensive play by Oklahoma’s Roy Williams and Teddy Lehman. With Oklahoma leading by just four points late in the fourth quarter, Texas attempted a comeback from their own 3-yard line. Williams’ interception sealed the game for Oklahoma, who celebrated their 18th consecutive victory.
1999: Texas 38, Oklahoma 28
In a memorable first encounter between Texas coach Mack Brown and Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, the game began with an elaborate deception. Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, Mike Leach, left a fake play script for Texas to find during warmups, causing confusion among the Longhorns.
Despite falling behind 17-0, Texas rallied to claim victory, marking one of their most significant comebacks in decades.
1984: Oklahoma 15, Texas 15
In a rain-soaked clash, Oklahoma’s Brian Bosworth expressed his disdain for Texas before the game. The match ended in a tie, with both teams feeling the weight of disappointment. Texas managed to tie the game with a last-second field goal, leaving Oklahoma fans frustrated and Bosworth reflecting on the rivalry’s intensity.
The Red River Rivalry remains a highlight of the college football calendar, bringing together tradition, passion, and fierce competition, as both teams vie for supremacy in the SEC.
