Texas and Oklahoma Renew Red River Rivalry in Dallas

Texas and Oklahoma will meet Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry, with the No. 1 Longhorns and Sooners continuing a tradition played at the Cotton Bowl since 1929. The annual college football matchup remains a neutral-site event tied to state fair history.

According to statesman.com, the rivalry has lasted 126 years and has been played in six cities, but nearly every meeting since 1929 has taken place on the state fairgrounds in Dallas. Texas leads the all-time series 65-51-5.

The Dallas location began after Texas ended its series with Vanderbilt following seven meetings from 1921 to 1928. According to statesman.com, Oklahoma replaced Vanderbilt as Texas' Metroplex opponent, leading to a 10-year agreement with state fair officials that has continued for 97 years.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte supported keeping the rivalry at the Cotton Bowl when Texas and Oklahoma extended their agreement through 2036 in 2023.

"There is absolutely nothing like the Allstate Red River Rivalry game, and with all of its history, tradition and pageantry, it needs to stay in the Cotton Bowl," said Chris Del Conte, Texas athletic director.

The two schools have considered moving the game to campus stadiums or another neutral venue over the years. According to statesman.com, multiple negotiations have not changed the arrangement.

Former Oklahoma President David Boren discussed the possibility of relocating the game in 2005 during a conversation with the Norman Telegraph.

"I wouldn't say yet that it's likely. But I would say it's looking as a much greater possibility that people would have thought a few years ago," said David Boren, former Oklahoma president.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the neutral-site setting remains a defining feature of the matchup. The Longhorns entered the game with a 4-0 record and a 1-0 conference record, according to statesman.com.

"It's the most unique setting in college football. It's the most special setting in college football," said Steve Sarkisian, Texas coach.

Sarkisian added that the atmosphere surrounding the state fair and Cotton Bowl is central to the rivalry's identity.

"I love all that this thing comes with. I love that it's at the state fair, the smell of the corn dogs, the funnel cakes and all that. It's so special, it's so unique, and I do not take it lightly.

But I would not change it for anything. I think it being there at the old Cotton Bowl is very, very special," said Steve Sarkisian, Texas coach.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables also backed the Dallas venue, saying the history and atmosphere make the location important to the rivalry. Oklahoma entered the matchup with a 2-2 record and a 0-1 conference record, according to statesman.com.

"I think there's a lot of pageantry and history there in the Cotton Bowl. I wouldn't want to change it for anything. I love everything about it: the passion, the energy, the intensity, the crowd being 50/50. I think it's fantastic," said Brent Venables, Oklahoma coach.