Red River Rivalry

I know we focus on SEC and ACC football, but this week we are serving up a special feature on Big 12 football at its finest.  The Red River Rivalry is played between Texas and Oklahoma.  These schools may not be completely "southern," but they take their football just as serious as any school in the SEC/ACC.  This game is played at a neutral in Dallas, TX during the Texas State Fair.  Football and fair food?  I'm sold!  Check out Taylor Tailgates full coverage of tailgating at the Texas State Fair during the TX/OU game. {Beware lots of pictures of mouthing fair goodies}

We have two lovely ladies guest blogging about all things Texas and Oklahoma.  Ashley {Texas Prep} attended the University of Texas and a die hard Longhorn.  My sorority sister, Jes K., attends the University of Oklahoma School of Law.  She is a passionate Sooner, but her heart belongs to the Gamecocks.  Take it away ladies...

University of Texas

Town: Austin, TX

Head Coach: Mack Brown

Stadium: Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial

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Mascot: Longhorn {steer}, Bevo

Colors: Burnt Orange and White

Biggest Rivals: Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies, and Texas Tech Red Raiders

Famous Alumni: Matthew McConaughey, First Lady Laura Bush, Jenna Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Farrah Fawcett, Janis Joplin, Mary Lou Retton, Roger Clemens

Traditions: Eyes of Texas, Texas Fight, Hook'em Horns, Big Bert, Bevo, Smokey the Cannon, "Godzillatron," lighting of the tower, torchlight parade

Places to be Seen: The "Drag," 40 Acres, University Co-Op, Cain & Abels

Best Food Near Campus: Willie's Bar-B-Que

Every year come October marks the most anticipated game of the regular season; the Red River Shootout between perennial powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma.  I make the annual trip to Dallas for the Texas State Fair and the Cotton Bowl game.  What makes this game the best rivalry in all of college football, if not all of sports, is the winning tradition both schools share.  Nearly every year, the showdown between Texas and Oklahoma determines the winner of the Big 12 South and usually predetermines the winner of the conference as a whole.  Not to mention, both football teams are competing for a national championship year in and year out.  The state fair is the most wonderful place to be in October; the atmosphere is incredible at the Cotton Bowl with the stadium split perfectly 50:50 in crimson and burnt orange.  The endless amount of fried food, corn dogs, and beer at the State Fair is a can't miss event before or after the game.  TX-OU is definitely a must for anyone's college football bucket list.

Hook'em
xoxo

All pictures were courtesy of Ashley


University of Oklahoma

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Town: Norman, OK

Head Coach: Bob Stoops

Stadium: Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (aka Memorial Stadium)

Mascot: Sooner Schooner, Boomer & Sooner

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Colors: Crimson & Cream

Biggest Rival: Texas {Red River Rivalry} & Oklahoma State {Bedlam}

Famous Alumni: Sam Bradford, Adrian Peterson, Blake Griffin, Wayman Tisdale, Lee Roy Selmon, Olivia Munn, Jake Hagger {aka WWE superstar Jack Swagger} & several more

Traditions: The Sooner Schooner, Heisman Park, Campus Corner, the RUF/NEKs, the Texas Bet, "Beat the H*ll out of Texas" written in and around campus, firing of the shotguns, and lots more

Jes in Heisman Park

Where to Watch the Game When You Don't Have a Ticket
Tickets can be hard to come by; the stadium has sold out every home game since 1999.  If you happen to be one without a ticket, you can go up to a tailgate {it's certain they'll have a TV broadcasting the game} or to any of the bars/restaurants in the town of Norman.

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Where to Celebrate
Anywhere on the historic Campus Corner: Seven47, Louie's, Fuzzy's, Logan's, O'Connells, anywhere.  the open container laws are relaxed on gameday, and you can buy beer on the street.

Tailgate Spots
Tailgating is anywhere you can find a spot to put your tent, fire up the grill and plug in the big screen.  Most of the tailgating for undergrad is on Lindsey & Jenkins - the prime spot since the stadium is just across the street.

However
For the Red River Rivalry, things are a little different.  Due to the rivalry between OU and Texas, the annual game is played in a neutral spot each year in a halfway point in Dallas, TX.  The Texas State Fair is always during this time - fried butter anyone?  The state fairgrounds surround the Cotton Bowl - the site of one of the best games of the year.  And, it's this week's Gameday site!

Boomer Sooner!
"We're going to beat the hell out of you, and you, and you, and you, and you!"
Tuck Fexas

All photos courtesy of Jes


BIG thanks, ladies!
This game is definitely on my college football bucket list, as well as, The World's Largest Cocktail Party and to visit all of the SEC stadiums.

Happy Gameday, belles!

xoxo,
Ashton