The Texas Longhorns are known for their many rivalries. True sports rivalries involve multiple meetings, years of battling it out, and the ultimate bragging rights. At their core is a deep and often irrational hatred for the other team, state, or both. College football rivalries are typically in-state or with an adjoining state.
While the rivalries are intense, many do not know why or even when they began. The reason(s) behind them can be as interesting as the rivalries themselves. Often, that history is just as irrational as the rivalry and provides additional fodder for great entertainment.
Texas Longhorns & OU Joining the SEC
In 2021, the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma announced they would leave the Big 12 and join the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Initially expected to begin in the fall of 2025, both teams agreed to leave a year early, with the schools forfeiting a combined $100 million in revenue distribution.
Known as The Red River Shootout (or Rivalry or Showdown), the history is a doozy. While the teams started playing in 1900, things took a turn with a political dig by then-Oklahoma Governor Charles Haskell. In 1908, he was not considered a popular Texas judge for the platform committee at the Democratic National Convention. This incensed many south of the Red River (which divides the two states).
While the tension remained between the states, it did not escalate until a bridge opened. In July 1931, a (free) bridge opened connecting Denison, TX with Durant, OK. Both states funded the construction. However, a nearby toll bridge owner filed an injunction, and weeks of legal wrangling followed. Texas said they would buy the bridge but never paid. Oklahoma sent in troops and Texas sent in the Texas Rangers.
Ultimately, Texas paid for the toll bridge, and the new bridge opened without incident. Also known as The Red River War or The Red River Controversy, this disagreement only intensified the rivalry.
Texas Longhorns & Sooners’ History
Like the Florida/Georgia rivalry, these teams meet at a neutral site in Dallas, TX. The Texas Longhorns lead the series 63-51-5, but the Sooners are 17-8 since 2000. For the most part, the higher-ranked team typically wins, but there are always critical upsets.
Since 2008, the lower-ranked team has won four times (2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023). The Longhorns won the first Big 12 Championship in 1996 and are leaving for the SEC as champions.
Despite changing conferences, this intense rivalry will continue and provide many years of intense highs and lows.
Longhorns and Aggies
While the history is not as interesting as OU’s, this rivalry is no less intense. It is typically noted as one of the most heated in college football, and the teams had not met since 2011, when A&M joined the SEC. Given the intensity, there have even been failed attempts to mandate the schools play every other year.
There is no love lost between these teams. Both schools’ songs negatively reference the other. The Longhorns sing “Texas fight, Texas fight, and it’s goodbye to A&M” while the Aggies sing “Goodbye to texas university, so long to the orange and white.”
The Texas Longhorns led the rivalry 76-37-5, with 63 of the 118 games played on Thanksgiving Day. Many fans were hoping the Thanksgiving Day tradition would continue but were pleasantly surprised to see the teams will be meeting the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
What New Rivalries Might Emerge?
The SEC implemented many changes with the Texas Longhorns and Sooners joining their conference. In addition to 8 conference games, each team will play one opponent from the ACC, the Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac 12 (or a major independent) with two open dates. The conference no longer has divisions. Instead, the top 2 teams will meet for the SEC Championship Game.
It will be compelling to watch teams play each other who have rarely played before. Likewise, rivalries may emerge with unlikely opponents. The Texas Longhorns, for example, are 3-8-1 against the Vanderbilt Commodores, while Oklahoma has a 3-2-1 record against Alabama. Quite a few teams have not met in many years so this college football season, and especially the SEC, will be incredibly entertaining.
About the Author
Julie McBurney is a professional editor. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, writing, sports, current events, and wasting it on silly celebrities. Check us out @totalapexeandg on X and all Total Apex Entertainment offers. Check out our other sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Fantasy Sports. If you’re also interested in gaming, check out Total Apex Gaming.
