AUSTIN, TX — The Red River Rivalry, pitting the University of Texas Longhorns against the University of Oklahoma Sooners, stands as one of college football's most iconic and intense matchups. Played annually since 1929, this border war transcends sport, embodying the cultural divide between two states separated by the Red River. What began as a simple gridiron contest in 1900 has evolved into a spectacle of passion, pageantry, and high-stakes drama, drawing massive crowds to Dallas's Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas. With over 120 meetings as of 2024, the series has produced national champions, legendary plays, and unforgettable moments that define the essence of collegiate athletics.
Origins and Early Years
The rivalry's roots trace back to October 10, 1900, when the Texas Longhorns defeated the Oklahoma Sooners (then representing the Territory of Oklahoma) 28-2 in Austin. At the time, neither team had an official nickname, and the game was described in reports as a mere "practice" contest. Early games were sporadic and held in various locations, including Austin, Norman, Oklahoma City, and even Houston. The series gained permanence in 1912 when it moved to Dallas for neutrality, though exceptions occurred in 1922 (Norman) and 1923 (Austin). By 1929, it became an annual event, solidifying its place in college football lore. The early decades saw Texas dominate, winning nine of the first 12 games in the 1900s.
The post-World War II era marked a shift, with Oklahoma emerging as a powerhouse under coach Bud Wilkinson. The Sooners claimed national titles in 1950, 1955, and 1956, often using the rivalry as a springboard. Texas, however, responded under Darrell Royal, a former Oklahoma player, who led the Longhorns to three national championships (1963, 1969, 1970) and multiple Southwest Conference titles.
Evolution of the Name
Originally known informally as the Red River Shootout, the name evoked the Wild West imagery of a gunfight across the river border. This moniker stuck until 2005, the 100th game, when sponsor SBC Communications rebranded it the Red River Rivalry to distance from connotations of violence. Following corporate mergers, it became the AT&T Red River Rivalry in 2006 and the AT&T Red River Showdown in 2014. In 2023, Allstate took over sponsorship, dubbing it the Allstate Red River Rivalry. Variations like "Shootout" and "Showdown" persist in other sports contexts and fan parlance, reflecting the event's enduring frontier spirit.
The Iconic Venue and Traditions
Since 1932, the game has called the historic Cotton Bowl in Dallas's Fair Park home, a neutral site equidistant from Austin and Norman. The stadium's 92,100 capacity is split evenly, with crimson-clad Oklahoma fans traditionally in the south end and burnt-orange Texas supporters in the north, creating a visually striking divide along the 50-yard line. The matchup coincides with the State Fair of Texas, adding fried foods, carnival rides, and festive chaos to the atmosphere. Attendance peaks have reached 96,009, as seen in 2009-2011.
Traditions abound, none more coveted than the Golden Hat trophy—a gleaming ten-gallon cowboy hat introduced in 1941 by the State Fair of Texas. Originally bronze, it was reworked to gold in the 1970s and is awarded to the winner, who safeguards it until the next clash. Other customs include the Red River Rivalry trophy exchanged by student bodies since 2003, governors' wagers (often involving charitable donations like beef), and NROTC relays carrying game balls from campuses to Dallas, culminating in a flag football game.
The fan intensity is legendary. As former Texas coach Tom Herman recounted, even elderly women and young children partake in the trash-talking, flipping off opposing buses en route to the stadium. Tunnels echo with personal jabs, underscoring the no-holds-barred hatred between the fan bases.
Series Record and Dominance Shifts
As of the 2024 game, Texas holds a slight edge in the all-time series with a 64-51-5 record. Texas boasts the longest win streaks at eight games (1940-1947 and 1958-1965), while Oklahoma's largest margin of victory came in 2003 (65-13). Post-WWII, Oklahoma leads 51-42-4, but Texas has reclaimed momentum recently, winning 49-0 in 2022 and 34-3 in 2024.
| Decade | Texas Wins | Oklahoma Wins | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 1910s | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 1920s | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1930s | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| 1940s | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1950s | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 1960s | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970s | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 1980s | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| 1990s | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2000s | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 2010s | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020s | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Notable Games and Moments
The rivalry's history is a tapestry of thrillers:
- 1963: No. 2 Texas upset No. 1 Oklahoma 28-7, propelling the Longhorns to their first national title.
- 1976: A controversial 6-6 tie amid spying allegations, attended by President Gerald Ford.
- 2001: Oklahoma's Roy Williams' "Superman" leap over a blocker for an interception sealed a 14-3 win.
- 2008: The highest-scoring game at the time (Texas 45-35) featured Colt McCoy outdueling Sam Bradford.
- 2018: Texas won 48-45 on a last-second field goal, then lost a Big 12 Championship rematch 39-27—the third same-season rematch in history.
- 2021: Oklahoma's 55-48 comeback from a 21-point deficit set a new scoring record.
Recent History and the SEC Era
The 2000s and 2010s favored Oklahoma, winning 17 of 24 games from 2000-2023. In 2023, the Sooners edged Texas 34-30 in a last-second thriller viewed by 7.8 million—the most since 2009. But Texas rebounded in 2024, dominating 34-3 in the first SEC matchup after both schools joined the conference. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, returning from injury, led the charge as No. 1 Texas outgained Oklahoma 406-237.
The 121st edition is set for October 11, 2025, at the Cotton Bowl, with the contract extended through 2036. As SEC foes, the rivalry now carries conference implications, amplifying its national relevance.
As of October 4, 2025, the teams enter with strong but contrasting starts: Oklahoma is undefeated at 4-0, while Texas sits at 3-1 after an early loss to Ohio State. This has tightened what was expected to be a wider gap, with early summer lines favoring Texas by as much as 10.5 points, but recent performances and potential injuries (like Oklahoma QB John Mateer possibly missing due to hand surgery) have shifted things.
Current Betting Odds and Favorites
According to the latest lines from major sportsbooks (as aggregated by sites like Action Network), Texas is the betting favorite, but it's a close contest reflecting Oklahoma's hot start and defensive prowess. The spread has moved significantly from its opening of Texas -9.5, suggesting bettors see value in the Sooners as underdogs.
| Category | Oklahoma Sooners | Texas Longhorns |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +3.5 (-110) | -3.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +182 | -218 |
| Over/Under | Over 56.5 (-110) | Under 56.5 (-110) |
- Implied Win Probability (from Moneyline): Texas ~68%, Oklahoma ~35%.
- Public Betting Trends: 85% of bets are on one side (likely Texas, given the favorite status), but only 15% of the money handle, indicating sharp bettors may be leaning toward Oklahoma covering or winning outright.
Expert Predictions and Models
Predictions are split, with many favoring Texas due to their talent depth and home-like advantage in Dallas, but others highlighting Oklahoma as "disruptors" thanks to their perfect record and stingy defense allowing just 10.5 points per game so far.
- Dimers Computer Model: Predicts a narrow Texas win, 25-23 (Texas 59% win probability). Recommends betting Oklahoma +10.5 if available, but with the current spread at +3.5, this implies value on the Sooners covering.
- Rece Davis (ESPN College GameDay): In a September 24 analysis, he said he'd make Oklahoma a 3.5-point favorite based on early-season form, citing the Sooners' momentum and Texas' shaky start with QB Arch Manning.
- Other Models and Picks: Sites like SportsBettingDime give Texas a 72.4% implied chance from odds but pick Oklahoma to win outright as an upset, emphasizing OU's red-zone efficiency (100%) and rushing attack. StorminInNorman predicts an Oklahoma victory as part of their full-season forecast.
Key Storylines Influencing Predictions in 2025
- Oklahoma's Strengths: The undefeated Sooners have been dominant defensively, with low over/under hits (0-4 this season) and a balanced offense. If Mateer plays, their passing game (944 yards, 9 TDs) could exploit Texas' secondary.
- Texas' Edge: Despite the loss to Ohio State, the Longhorns have superior rushing (4.89 YPC) and overall talent. They're 2-0 as favorites straight-up, and the rivalry often favors the team with better red-zone scoring (Texas at 75%).
- Historical Context: Texas leads the all-time series 64-51-5, but Oklahoma has won 17 of the last 24 since 2000. Recent games have been thrillers, with margins under 7 points in three of the last five.
Overall, the consensus from odds and models leans toward Texas as the predicted winner, but it's far from a lock—expect a competitive game where Oklahoma could pull the upset, especially if their QB is healthy.
Where to Watch
If you aren't driving to Dallas, the Allstate Red River Rivalry will be simulcasted on the largest video wall in San Angelo at the Arc Light Sports Bar & Grill inside the Clarion Hotel, 441 Rio Concho Dr. Showtime is 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
The 2017 Red River Rivalry
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