Why is it called Red River Rivalry? Explaining name change, history, location of Texas vs. Oklahoma football game

Why is it called Red River Rivalry? Explaining name change, history, location of Texas vs. Oklahoma football game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

JUMP TO:

What is the Red River Rivalry?
Where is the Red River Rivalry played?
Why do they call it Red River Rivalry?
Red River Shootout name change
Texas vs. Oklahoma all-time results
Red River Rivalry greatest games

One of the greatest rivalries in college football goes back more than 120 years. The Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas has been played nearly every year dating back to 1900.

These two rivals played each other in the Big 12 for decades before both of them moved to the SEC, starting in 2024.

Let’s take a look at the Red River Rivalry’s rich history, where it is played, memorable games and more.

MORE:Why did Arch Manning go to Texas?

What is the Red River Rivalry?

The Red River Rivalry is the annual college football rivalry game between Texas and Oklahoma. The Longhorns hold a 64-51-5 all-time lead in the series, which started in 1900.

The two teams typically meet on the second Saturday in October, the tradition of which started in 1932. The two played in consecutive years from 1900-1917, once in 1919 and 1922-23, before playing annually from 1929-2025.

MORE:What to know about fake injury penalty in college football

Where is the Red River Rivalry played?

The Red River Rivalry is played each season in Dallas, Texas. The game has been held at the Cotton Bowl, which sits inside Fair Park in Dallas. The Cotton Bowl has a capacity of 92,100 fans, and it was initially built in 1930.

The annual rivalry game takes place during the annual Texas State Fair, so it’s a huge week for the Dallas area in general.

MORE:What is a show-cause penalty? Explaining the NCAA’s ban on Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

Why do they call it Red River Rivalry?

The rivalry’s nickname is in reference to the actual Red River, which serves as the border between the states of Texas and Oklahoma.

Photo via Google Maps

But the game has been played under several other nicknames, some of which have been changed over the years. Some of the other names this game has had includes the Red River Shootout and Red River Showdown, which lasted just one season in 2014.

MORE:What to know about how NIL money works in college football?

Red River Shootout name change

For the majority of this rivalry’s history from 1900-2005, the game was called the Red River Shootout. But in 2005, it was rebranded to the “SBC Red River Rivalry,” when SBC Communications sponsored the matchup.

The decision to rename the rivalry was said to move away from the suggestion that having “shootout” in the name suggested condoning gun violence.

The game was also sponsored by the likes of AT&T and Allstate in 2014 and 2023. In 2014, the game was called the “Red River Showdown,” but that lasted just a season.

MORE:College football’s 30 highest-paid players in 2025, from Arch Manning to Jeremiyah Love

Texas vs. Oklahoma all-time results

As we mentioned previously, Texas leads the overall series. Here’s a look at the series history, as well as the results from the last couple of decades.

Texas leads the all-time series 64-51-5
Oklahoma longest win streak: Six games from 1952-57
Texas longest win streak: Eight games from 1940-47

YEAR	RESULT
2024	Texas 34, Oklahoma 3
2023	Oklahoma 34, Texas 30
2022	Texas 49, Oklahoma 0
2021	Oklahoma 55, Texas 48
2020	Oklahoma 53, Texas 45
2019	Oklahoma 34, Texas 27
2018	Oklahoma 39, Texas 27 (Big 12 title game)
2018	Texas 48, Oklahoma 45
2017	Oklahoma 29, Texas 24
2016	Oklahoma 45, Texas 40
2015	Texas 24, Oklahoma 17
2014	Oklahoma 31, Texas 26
2013	Texas 36, Oklahoma 20
2012	Oklahoma 63, Texas 21
2011	Oklahoma 55, Texas 17
2010	Oklahoma 28, Texas 20
2009	Texas 16, Oklahoma 13
2008	Texas 45, Oklahoma 35
2007	Oklahoma 28, Texas 21
2006	Texas 28, Oklahoma 10
2005	Texas 45, Oklahoma 12
2004	Oklahoma 12, Texas 0
2003	Oklahoma 65, Texas 13
2002	Oklahoma 35, Texas 24
2001	Oklahoma 14, Texas 3

Red River Rivalry greatest games

2021: Oklahoma 55, Texas 48

This one should be called the “Caleb Williams coming out party.” Under then-Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley, Sooners starting quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched in favor of Williams. He helped Oklahoma overcome a 28-7 first-quarter deficit to win 55-48.

The Sooners had a 25-point fourth quarter, and Williams threw two touchdowns and rushed for another in the win. Perhaps the most impressive part of it all was that Williams, who was then a true freshman, hadn’t played high school football since 2019 s as his team didn’t play during COVID-19 in 2020.

2020: Oklahoma 53, Texas 45 (OT)

Speaking of COVID, the 2020 iteration between these two teams this year was pretty great. The Longhorns trailed the Sooners 31-17 entering the fourth quarter.

But following an early-quarter interception, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw two touchdown passes in the game’s final five minutes to force overtime. Texas actually had a chance to kick a 33-yard game-winning field goal, but it was blocked by Oklahoma.

The Sooner defense stepped up big again in overtime. Looking to respond after Oklahoma’s touchdown, Ehlinger was picked off by Tre Brown to seal the Oklahoma win.

2018: Texas 48, Oklahoma 45

2018’s game featured a massive comeback attempt from Oklahoma. The Sooners, led by future Heisman winner Kyler Murray at quarterback, entered the fourth quarter trailing 45-24. But Murray scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and a Trey Sermon score made it 45-45 with 2:38 left.

But Ehlinger and the Longhorns weren’t deterred, as Texas drove down to Oklahoma’s 23. Cameron Dicker made a 40-yard field goal to seal the win with nine seconds left.

2015: Texas 24, Oklahoma 17

This one was a pretty shocking upset at the hands of Texas. The Sooners, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, was an undefeated, Top-10 team entering this one. Texas, meanwhile, was just 1-4, and coming off a 50-7 drubbing vs. TCU the week prior.

But led by a strong rushing attack led by Longhorns running backs D’Onta Foreman and Jerrod Heard, Texas won 24-17. The Longhorns also sacked Mayfield six times. It was one of the few highlights for former Texas head coach Charlie Strong. under then-head coach Charlie Strong.

2001: Oklahoma 14, Texas 3

Don’t let this final final score fool you, this game was a thriller. Oklahoma led 7-3 with just two minutes left. This game was also known as a coming out party for Oklahoma safety Roy Williams.

With Texas backed up deep in their own territory, Williams leapt over the end zone and sacked Oklahoma quarterback Chris Simms. Simms turned the ball over into the hands of Sooners’ linebacker Teddy Lehman, who caught the pass for a pick-six.

Source link