It’s almost that time of year again — the long-awaited trip to the Cotton Bowl for Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners fans.
The Longhorns will take on the Sooners at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Dallas, and since this year will mark the first version of the rivalry played within the SEC, here is a list of five things every fan should know before attending Red River Rivalry weekend.
1. History of the rivalry
The two teams first played each other in 1900, but the annual rivalry did not begin until years later. The rivalry matchup has been played every year since 1929, and this year will mark the 120th consecutive game between Texas and Oklahoma.
The “Red River Showdown” refers to the Red River, which constructs part of the border between the two states, and is roughly the halfway point between the two.
2. Series history
The Longhorns lead the all-time series 63-51-5, however, since 2000, OU has dominated Texas 17-8.
The Sooners have claimed victory in five of their last six matchups, including their 34-30 win over the Longhorns last season.
Texas most recently pulled off a win in 2022 with a lopsided 49-0 victory over the Sooners.
3. The Golden Hat
So what does the team get if they win? The Golden Hat trophy.
A gold, ten-gallon hat, once made of bronze, is given to the victors. Players from the winning team take turns posing with the hat, and the trophy is kept in the school’s athletic department until the next year’s rivalry game.
4. State Fair of Texas
The football game isn’t the only thing fans can enjoy on Saturday. The Cotton Bowl is in the midst of the State Fair of Texas.
Surrounded by carnival games, rides, Ferris wheels, animal barns and fried food concession stands, fans can enjoy a full game-day experience at the fair before, during or after the game.
A ticket to the game includes a ticket to the fair.
5. Current team standings
Texas (5-0) is back at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 after top-ranked Alabama surprisingly fell to unranked Vanderbilt last weekend. While the Longhorns had a bye week, five teams who were in the top-11 of the AP Poll lost on Saturday. Texas shifted from No. 2 back into the top slot.
Oklahoma (4-1) is currently tied at No. 18 in the AP Poll with Indiana and Kans
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