Redshirt
10/1/2007, 03:24 PM
From SoonerSports.com :
The Rivalry of All Rivalries
OU-Texas one of the nation's most spectacular sporting events.
NORMAN, Okla. -- Each year, the second Saturday in October is reserved for the magical atmosphere that is OU-Texas. The legions of fans who support each school look forward to this day more than any other day of the year, hoping to walk away with bragging rights for the next 365.
OU and Texas first squared off in 1900 in what has become one of the nation's most spectacular sporting events. Since 1929, the city of Dallas, a location approximately halfway between the two campuses, has served as the host of the Red River Rivalry, contested annually during the State Fair of Texas.
Every year an exodus of fans from each school descends on the Cotton Bowl, creating an atmosphere arguably more unique than that found at any other game. Inside, a crowd perfectly defined by its color -- half crimson, half burnt orange -- is divided precisely at the 50-yard line. Outside, upwards of 100,000 people occupy the fairgrounds.
It is not just a football game. It is a battle for pride between the two states, the two schools, their football programs and the diehard fans who live for this day. It is a game which marks time and give players and fans alike experiences for a lifetime.
Red River Rivalry By the Numbers
101 - Games in the history of the Red River Rivalry. Texas leads the all-time series 57-39-5.
60 - Years in a row the game has been televised.
28 - The series is tied 28-28-3 since 1948.
26 - Times both schools have entered the game undefeated (minimum one game). Texas holds the advantage in those contests, 14-11.
18 - Times since 1945 neither team has been undefeated heading into the game.
15 - Times OU has handed the Longhorns their first loss of the season. Texas has handed the Sooners their first loss 22 times.
10 - Times both teams have entered the game ranked in the top five in the country. Both teams have been ranked in the top 10 a total of 16 times.
7 - Times the Sooners have been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll heading into the game. Texas has been ranked No. 1 four times coming in.
3 - Times the Sooners handed Texas its only loss of the season. The Longhors have been responsible for OU's only loss four times.
While OU and Texas fans may disagree on everything else, they do agree on one thing -- this is the greatest rivalry in college football.
But just for fun, we are going to take a brief look at some of the other great college football rivalries to see how they stack up.
Ohio State-Michigan
The only one that holds a candle to the Red River Rivalry. These two tradition-rich programs square off each year at the end of the regular season, nearly every year with a championship on the line. Since 1913, the two schools have combined for all or part of 70 Big Ten titles. While the passion for each team's fans may rival that of OU-Texas, they are never split 50-50 in the same building. Advantage: OU-Texas.
USC-Notre Dame
The winner of this game has gone on to win the national title 19 times but its significance has diminished with the demise of the Irish. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Army-Navy
The battle between these two military academies probably has more history and tradition than any other rivalry in the country. But because both teams have struggled to compete on a national stage for so long, hardly anyone without ties to West Point or Annapolis really cares. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Auburn-Alabama
The hate between these two intrastate schools is unlike any other. From 1907 to 1948, the two schools didn't even play because they couldn’t decide which referees to use. In recent years, however, neither program has been able to regularly reach the national prominence they both once enjoyed. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Harvard-Yale
It is known simply as "The Game", but we'd rather refer to it as "The Battle of the Brains". This game is the third most played in history, and for Ivy Leaguers, it doesn't get any bigger. But that's just it -- it is the Ivy League. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Florida-Georgia
With the moniker "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party", we had to include this game on the list. The atmosphere surrounding the game may be the only one that compares to the State Fair of Texas, and it is one of few rivalry games played on a neutral site. And while Georgia may hold the series lead, they haven't been in the same league as the Gators in 20 years. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Florida State-Miami
One of the most intriguing rivalries of the last 20 years, though the schools have struggled to find the same wavelength as of late. During the late 1980s through the '90s, Florida State lost out on playing for the national championship five times because of losses to the Hurricanes. But what have you done for me lately? Advantage: OU-Texas.
Minnesota-Wisconsin
The oldest rivalry in NCAA Division I-A, and would you believe Minnesota actually leads the series 59-48-8? Just trying to give the alma mater some love. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Lafayette-Lehigh
The most-played rivalry in college football history, but has anyone ever heard of these two schools? Advantage: OU-Texas.
The final verdict: it's not even close. The Red River Rivalry is the envy of them all.
The Rivalry of All Rivalries
OU-Texas one of the nation's most spectacular sporting events.
NORMAN, Okla. -- Each year, the second Saturday in October is reserved for the magical atmosphere that is OU-Texas. The legions of fans who support each school look forward to this day more than any other day of the year, hoping to walk away with bragging rights for the next 365.
OU and Texas first squared off in 1900 in what has become one of the nation's most spectacular sporting events. Since 1929, the city of Dallas, a location approximately halfway between the two campuses, has served as the host of the Red River Rivalry, contested annually during the State Fair of Texas.
Every year an exodus of fans from each school descends on the Cotton Bowl, creating an atmosphere arguably more unique than that found at any other game. Inside, a crowd perfectly defined by its color -- half crimson, half burnt orange -- is divided precisely at the 50-yard line. Outside, upwards of 100,000 people occupy the fairgrounds.
It is not just a football game. It is a battle for pride between the two states, the two schools, their football programs and the diehard fans who live for this day. It is a game which marks time and give players and fans alike experiences for a lifetime.
Red River Rivalry By the Numbers
101 - Games in the history of the Red River Rivalry. Texas leads the all-time series 57-39-5.
60 - Years in a row the game has been televised.
28 - The series is tied 28-28-3 since 1948.
26 - Times both schools have entered the game undefeated (minimum one game). Texas holds the advantage in those contests, 14-11.
18 - Times since 1945 neither team has been undefeated heading into the game.
15 - Times OU has handed the Longhorns their first loss of the season. Texas has handed the Sooners their first loss 22 times.
10 - Times both teams have entered the game ranked in the top five in the country. Both teams have been ranked in the top 10 a total of 16 times.
7 - Times the Sooners have been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll heading into the game. Texas has been ranked No. 1 four times coming in.
3 - Times the Sooners handed Texas its only loss of the season. The Longhors have been responsible for OU's only loss four times.
While OU and Texas fans may disagree on everything else, they do agree on one thing -- this is the greatest rivalry in college football.
But just for fun, we are going to take a brief look at some of the other great college football rivalries to see how they stack up.
Ohio State-Michigan
The only one that holds a candle to the Red River Rivalry. These two tradition-rich programs square off each year at the end of the regular season, nearly every year with a championship on the line. Since 1913, the two schools have combined for all or part of 70 Big Ten titles. While the passion for each team's fans may rival that of OU-Texas, they are never split 50-50 in the same building. Advantage: OU-Texas.
USC-Notre Dame
The winner of this game has gone on to win the national title 19 times but its significance has diminished with the demise of the Irish. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Army-Navy
The battle between these two military academies probably has more history and tradition than any other rivalry in the country. But because both teams have struggled to compete on a national stage for so long, hardly anyone without ties to West Point or Annapolis really cares. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Auburn-Alabama
The hate between these two intrastate schools is unlike any other. From 1907 to 1948, the two schools didn't even play because they couldn’t decide which referees to use. In recent years, however, neither program has been able to regularly reach the national prominence they both once enjoyed. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Harvard-Yale
It is known simply as "The Game", but we'd rather refer to it as "The Battle of the Brains". This game is the third most played in history, and for Ivy Leaguers, it doesn't get any bigger. But that's just it -- it is the Ivy League. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Florida-Georgia
With the moniker "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party", we had to include this game on the list. The atmosphere surrounding the game may be the only one that compares to the State Fair of Texas, and it is one of few rivalry games played on a neutral site. And while Georgia may hold the series lead, they haven't been in the same league as the Gators in 20 years. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Florida State-Miami
One of the most intriguing rivalries of the last 20 years, though the schools have struggled to find the same wavelength as of late. During the late 1980s through the '90s, Florida State lost out on playing for the national championship five times because of losses to the Hurricanes. But what have you done for me lately? Advantage: OU-Texas.
Minnesota-Wisconsin
The oldest rivalry in NCAA Division I-A, and would you believe Minnesota actually leads the series 59-48-8? Just trying to give the alma mater some love. Advantage: OU-Texas.
Lafayette-Lehigh
The most-played rivalry in college football history, but has anyone ever heard of these two schools? Advantage: OU-Texas.
The final verdict: it's not even close. The Red River Rivalry is the envy of them all.