OU-Texas Red River Rivalry nickname, explained: Why series changed name for 2023 game
No. 12 Oklahoma takes on No. 3 Texas in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday, a storied series that has captivated college football fans of the bordering states for over a century.
The Sooners and Longhorns both enter Saturday's Week 6 showdown with 5-0 undefeated records, including a 2-0 mark in conference play, the first time both programs have entered the game unbeaten since 2011. That — plus the fact this is the last time the rivalry takes place in the Big 12 — makes this one of the most anticipated games in recent series history.
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Eagle-eyed fans may notice the game has taken on a familiar moniker for 2023, however: Why did the Oklahoma-Texas matchup change its name back to the Red River Rivalry after several years as the Red River Showdown? And how did it get its legendary nickname in the first place?
The historic rivalry has seen 118 meetings between the Longhorns and Sooners, with Texas leading the overall series 63-50-5. Oklahoma has come away victorious in four of the past five matchups, but will look to avenge a 49-0 defeat by the Longhorns in 2022, a game starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel missed due to injury.
With that, here's all you need to know of the Red River Rivalry, the origins of the nickname and why it has changed in recent years:
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Why is Oklahoma-Texas called the Red River Rivalry?
The college football game between Texas and Oklahoma has had various names since it was first played in 1900, but one aspect of the moniker has remained constant: "Red River." It's in reference to the namesake body of water that runs between the states of Oklahoma and Texas. (There also was the issue of the 1931 Red River Bridge War, though the vitriol between the two states and football teams was already well established by that point).
The game formerly was called the "Red River Shootout" when first created, but pivoted to the "SBC Red River Rivalry" for the 100th game in 2005 in an attempt to distance itself from gun violence. The matchup between Texas and Oklahoma became the "AT&T Red River Showdown" in 2014 when SBC, the original sponsor of the game, merged with AT&T.
Texas and Oklahoma issued a joint statement supporting the 2014 name change.
"As a University of Texas alumnus I have long enjoyed the Texas-Oklahoma series and the great tradition it represents for Texas and Oklahoma fans," said Steve Patterson, former Texas men's athletics director. "We look forward to working with AT&T representatives and the University of Oklahoma to generate excitement for the new name and brand, and continuing our relationships with the State Fair of Texas."
Said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione at the time:
"The Oklahoma-Texas game played annually at the Cotton Bowl is one of the grandest traditions in all of college football. We will continue striving to make this contest a truly memorable experience for the student-athletes and fans of both the University of Oklahoma and The University of Texas amidst the unique and colorful atmosphere of the State Fair of Texas."
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The schools agreed to a name change back to the "Red River Rivalry" in July when Allstate became the title sponsor for the rivalry.
"Our annual, iconic matchup with the Longhorns each October features more than a century of tradition between our two programs, so it's fitting that we revive the 'Rivalry' name," Castiglione said in a statement. "On the field, we're certainly arch-rivals, with both our teams bringing fierce competition year after year. Allstate is a strong supporter of OU Athletics, and we're in good hands with them as our Red River Rivalry title sponsor."
Added current Texas AD Chris Del Conte:
"We are thrilled to have such an outstanding, longtime Texas Longhorns partner as Allstate come on board to sponsor the greatest rivalry in all of college football. There is no better tradition than the Red River Rivalry in a more unique and perfect atmosphere like the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl with 'The Line,' the Golden Hat trophy and all of the pageantry and passion of both universities on full display."
Where is the Red River Rivalry played?
Texas and Oklahoma face off every year in the Cotton Bowl Stadium inside Fair Park in Dallas. The college football programs first matched up in 1900, but moved the location of the matchup to the Cotton Bowl Stadium in 1932. Dallas was chosen as a neutral site location as it is about halfway between the two campuses in Norman and Austin.
Ticket sales from the game are equally divided between the schools, and the 50-yard line divides the ticket allotment for each team.
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Red River Rivalry series history
The first showdown between Texas and Oklahoma occurred in 1900, when Texas trounced the Sooners in a 28-2 rout. Texas leads the overall series 63-50-5.
Here's a breakdown of both teams' records under the rivalry's various names:
Red River Shootout (1900-2004): Texas leads 55-39-5
Red River Rivalry 2005-13, 2023: Texas leads 5-4
Red River Showdown (2014-22): Oklahoma leads 6-3*
* Does not include Oklahoma's 2018 Big 12 championship game win vs. Texas
In the most recent matchup, Texas marched into Dallas on Oct 8., 2022, and delivered a beatdown of the Sooners, dominating Oklahoma in a 49-0 win. The 2022 matchup was the first matchup in 19 meetings that neither team came into the game ranked.
This year, both teams are undefeated and looking to book their ticket to the college football playoffs — a Week 6 win in the Red River Rivalry would be a statement win for either team.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Oklahoma-Texas returned to Red River Rivalry nickname
