It’s Red River Rivalry Week again, which means we’re in for a weird game no matter the anticipated result. The Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma Sooners in a matchup that is expected to go Texas’ way, but we’ve seen all sorts of strange results in the past. The Red River Rivalry usually pits two highly ranked Longhorns and Sooners teams together with huge conference titles and playoff implications.
But why is it called the Red River Rivalry?
Why Is It Called the Red River Rivalry?
While it isn’t played on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Texas vs. Oklahoma is one of the biggest rivalry games in college football. Like all great rivalry games, it has a nickname. Most know it as the “Red River Rivalry,” but many don’t know why.
The Red River is the de facto border between the eastern parts of Oklahoma and Texas. Proximity breeds contempt, or something like that, and both states’ flagship universities have had plenty of bitter feelings throughout the game’s history since its creation in 1900.
Formerly known as the “Red River Shootout,” the name changed in 2005 to avoid connotations around gun violence. It was known as the Red River Rivalry until 2014 when the name was officially changed to the Red River Showdown. However, the vast majority of college football fans still prefer the alliterative Red River Rivalry name
Who Leads the Red River Rivalry?
As of 2024, the Longhorns lead the all-time series, 63 wins to 51. However, in the more recent past, the Sooners have been dominant. Since 2000, Oklahoma has won 17 of 25 Red River Rivalries
The last Texas win was a big one, 49-0 in 2022, but the Sooners got revenge last season, upsetting the No. 3 Longhorns, 34-30.
What Was the Biggest Win in the Red River Rivalry?
The largest margin of victory in the Red River Rivalry was a 65-13 Sooners victory in 2003. At the time, the Sooners were the No. 1 team in the nation against a talented, Vince Young-led Texas squad, but the Longhorns were overmatched.
While Young had his share of Red River Rivalry moments, Jason White was the night’s star. White threw for an incredible 290 passing yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
That said, the Longhorns’ 49-0 drubbing two years ago is the second-biggest win in the rivalry’s history.
Bijan Robinson and Quinn Ewers were the offensive stars. Robinson ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns while Ewers threw for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Ewers will look to replicate that dominant performance in 2024.
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