Oklahoma/Texas: The Best Rivalry In College Football

You can have Ohio State – Michigan, USC – Notre Dame and Georgia – Florida rivalries. For my money, the best rivalry in college football takes place every year at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas between Oklahoma and Texas. You’ve got two of the largest state universities from 2 football crazed states going toe to toe.

Here are 10 reasons why the Red River Shootout is the best rivalry in college football:

People from the state of Oklahoma & Texas don’t like each other:
Though the Red River borders both states, the difference between the two culturally and economically is night and day. Texans love to put down Oklahomans and vice versa. Each year this game gives the winner a chance to puff their chest out.

Fightin’ Words:
You want to tick off a Texas fan, bring up the name Barry Switzer and mention his recruiting raids through Texas in the 1970’s and 1980’s
You want to make an Oklahoma fan hoppin’ mad, call him ignorant country bumpin that envious of the state of Texas.

Fans:
Check out the Cotton Bowl Saturday. 1 side will be red the other will be burnt orange and a border at the 50 yard line on both sides. OU & Texas fans are some of the most rapid in college football.

Great Players:
Billy Sims, Joe Washington, Brian Bosworth, the Selmon Brothers, Jason White, Greg Pruitt and Barry Switzer. Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Johnny “Ham” Jones, Johnny “Lam” Jones, Steve Worster and Darrell Royal

Great Games:
1976 “Spy Game”. Texas head coach Darrell Royal accused Oklahoma of spying on Texas’ practice. It was a time when Darrell Royal and Barry Switzer were feuding. They wouldn’t talk to each other and Switzer never lost to the Texas coaching legend. The ’76 game was Royal’s last as OU and Texas played to a 6-6- tie and Switzer would end up 3-0-1 against the Royal led Horns.

1977 Texas lost their starting quarterback and back-up QB. All 3rd stringer Randy McEarhern had to do is hand off to Earl Campbell and the Horns prevailed 13-6.

1995 Great game between the programs that were falling into mediocrity. Nobody won because the game ended in a 24-24 tie but I was there.

1996 First time OU – Texas was a conference game. OU would win in overtime and I was there for that one to.

Great Coaches:
Darrell Royal, Fred Akers and Mack Brown. Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops.

Texas State Fair:
The only rivalry that is part of a state fair. The Red River Shootout coincides with the Texas State Fair.

Cool Nickname:
Red River Shootout or Red River Rivalry, it sounds better than the Apple Cup or The Big Game.

The Cotton Bowl:
It was a dump but the stadium has gotten a $30 million face lift and now seats 90,000 fans, all to keep the game there through 2014. It’s been the home of the Red River Shootout since 1929.

OU & Texas play for championships:
This game usually plays a key role in the national championship picture and since 1996 determines who wins the Big 12 South.

Texas leads the series 57-40 with 5 ties and that probably ticks off Oklahoma fans.

If you ever get the opportunity to go to the Oklahoma – Texas game, and I have been to 2, go. It is the best in college football.

Photos Courtesy: Getty Images