Stories Inside the Man Cave
Stories Inside the Man Cave
Ep 413: Lets Talk About It; Red River Rivalry: A Historic Clash of Texas and Oklahoma
Picture this: the grandeur of the Cotton Bowl, the vibrant cultures of Austin and Norman, and a rivalry so rich with history that it feels like an annual gift-wrapped present. That's the Red River Rivalry, and we're celebrating its 120th meeting with all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning. We dive into the storied tradition that sees Texas historically in the lead, yet Oklahoma gaining ground in recent years. From the unique college town atmospheres to the shifts in dominance over the decades, this episode captures the essence of an iconic sports showdown that keeps fans on the edge of their seats every fall.
The duel between Texas and Oklahoma isn't just a game; it's a clash defined by physicality and the crucial running game. The past several years have shown that the team dominating on the ground often claims victory, as seen in Texas' triumphant 2018 performance and Oklahoma's thrilling comeback in 2021. As we anticipate the upcoming battle, the tension builds around whether Texas' defensive line can stifle Oklahoma's offensive push and how Oklahoma's defense measures up. We invite fans from both sides to join us in this electric discussion, tapping into social media to weigh in and share in the adrenaline-fueled excitement of this epic rivalry.
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Honest is a strong word and we all need honesty when it comes to plumbing and HVAC needs, somebody who will take care of the repairs efficiently and with quality. Honest Plumbing and Air is who I trust, and they take pride in that word. Honest Plumbing and Air, where a handshake still means something. Hey, it is the week of one of the best, if not the best, college football rivalry in the entire entire country. A lot of people will disagree with it, because they think that their rivalry is big and there's passion amongst college football fans and a lot of pride in their alma mater. So just fans. You don't have to go to the university to be a fan In this case. You don't have to be a fan of Texas or Oklahoma to love this rivalry. You just have to be a fan of the game and I guarantee you, everyone somehow, someway, may be far down the family tree with ties to Texas and Oklahoma Boomer, sooner and Hook'em Horns. It is a beautiful game. A beautiful game in Dallas, texas, in one of the more iconic college football venues in the country the Red River Rivalry number 120. Let's talk about it. I'm out. You know I get chills every time that this week comes around. So many chills and so much excitement. And it's about Wednesday when everything surfaces. You think about it like Christmas morning the same feeling of the excitement, the newness of that feeling. You get the anticipation for this great game. I am Sean Clinch, the host of Stories Inside the man Cave podcast. Go ahead and like. All of our social media platforms are all right there. You probably have each of them, regardless of age. You're probably on at least one or two of those Facebook, igx, youtube and TikTok and I still haven't produced enough content for TikTok here in recent history. And we've got to give a shout-out to all of our sponsors who are listed Dirty Martin's Place, iconic Austin, original Hargrove Roofing Know who's On your Roof? Jim Saxton, state Farm Insurance Agency and Longhorn Legacy and the son of a Heisman finalist who was also a Longhorn. Jim Saxton State Farm Insurance Agency. And, of course, the primary sponsor of let's Talk About it Honest Plumbing and Air, where a handshake still means something. Give them a call for all of your plumbing or HVAC needs and if you survive the summer without any air conditioning issues, consider yourself lucky. But get it inspected and also get those heaters serviced before the cold fronts start rolling through. Can you believe this.
Speaker 1:This is the 120th Red River Rivalry Weeks. It is something special and I can't begin to tell you where to dive into this because there's so many angles to take in this and it really doesn't matter which side you're on, it doesn't matter the records, it does not matter the streak in which your team may be on, if you're Texas, if you're for the burnt orange, if you're for the crimson and cream boomer sooner or hook them horns, it really doesn't matter, because anyone is capable of winning this game, good or bad, and it could be your only major win of your season. 120 times these two teams will be meeting or, after Saturday, will have met, and the Cotton Bowl has been the ideal host, halfway between Norman and Austin, texas, both great college towns. Norman has its own uniqueness, its own appeal and it's a great college town. I've had the fortune, the opportunity, been blessed to see and cover this great game from both sides. I worked in the Oklahoma City TV market and I worked in the Austin TV market, my last two stops of my loved career that I once had and decided to get out. But man, what a blessing it was to cover both teams and to see what it's like from both sides.
Speaker 1:Both sides very different, but both sides very much the same Texas and OU. It is unbelievable when you think about it. Yes, texas leads the overall series 63 wins to 51 losses and five ties but you know, ou is catching up quickly. In fact, if you remove the 2018 Big 12 championship game which really doesn't count in the Red River rivalry because it's not the big game in Dallas, although that was a big game but OU leads it this century 16 wins to eight losses, or eight wins to 16 losses for the Longhorns and if you think about it since 1980, texas has 19 wins against Oklahoma. But why is that? Why is it that Texas has not been on the winning side more?
Speaker 1:I have my theories, I have my ideas of why that is, but if you go back to the 1960s, this has been a very streaky, very streaky series. Texas won nine of 10 in the 60s and won six of 10 in the 70s, but it's the 80s when it started to go around. Actually, ou won six times in the 70s and won five times against the Longhorns in the 80s. Of course, the 80s, the back end of it, 89 to 92, peter Gardere led some very average Texas teams in 1990. They were great. Texas won all four years in which Peter Gardner started the only quarterback in this series. You look at Kel Gundy he never beat Texas, um so. But if you look at the 90s Texas, you thought Texas was going to take charge of this series. They beat OU seven times and that was the last decade in which there were ties. Now the overtime was instituted, or implemented, if you will.
Speaker 1:Then the 21st century hit, the 2000s, that being 2000 to 09 oh, you won six times. Then the 10, that's 11 to 19. Oh, you is one seven of those. And to current the 20s, 2020s, they'll use one, three or four, all those regular season meetings. Why is that? We can go in different directions. I feel like you know, there was a time, from 05 to 09, texas looked like they were going to take charge of this series.
Speaker 1:Physical talent, nfl talent, I mean uber talented teams, but Texas was also extremely talented, great teams 2000 to 2004. But OU and Texas were very much equals, a moment in which a team can really just blow the doors open due to some odd things. Let's go to Teddy Lehman. Texas was up 7-3 or down 7-3. Up 7-3. Yeah, they were up 7-3. Ou was 7-3 or down 7-3, up 7-3. Now they were up 7-3. The OU was 7-3. Texas backed up to their end zone, chris Sims back to pass. You saw OU's Roy Williams, the Superman play, took the ideal leap Touch, got Chris Sims in motion and the ball fell Right into Teddy Lehman, the OU linebacker's hands. He just had to go two or three yards into the end zone. Ou won 14-3.
Speaker 1:So from 2000 to 2004, ou dominated, but you knew something was happening in 2004 when a great OU offense was pretty much shut down by Texas and OU won but shut out. Texas ended UT's streak of not being shut out and I can't remember the number of games, but it was a lot. Ou won 12-0. And then Vince Young truly took over. In 05, 06, 07, 08, 09,. Texas had one loss and it was close. Demarco Murray's big leap and long run for a touchdown preserved that win for OU. They were close and one of the best Texas OU game that I've ever seen. I've only been to 18 of these, whether covering them or as a fan. 08 was by far the best one.
Speaker 1:Momentum swings, everything beautiful, but why is it that OU just picked back up and just really has a stronghold on this rivalry in the 21st century. I want to say this I feel like Bob Stoops and OU for the longest time, except 05, 06, and 08, 09. I felt like OU was tougher. Ou had the edge. Ou had the edge in a lot of areas that Texas didn't and for some reason they have that. Now they have it again.
Speaker 1:But you're starting to feel because last year's game turnovers are a difference. Texas was minus three in the turnover area and Gillen Gabriel led OU on that long drive at the end of the game and left Texas, I think, with 11 seconds on the clock to try to go win the thing and OU won. But that was only one of two losses Texas had last year. But you're starting to see it. Steve Sarkeesian and his staff is developing the toughness that I saw firsthand up and personal that OU had for so long. You're starting to see that seesaw the pendulum. If you will swing to Texas Toughness. Ou was so tough for so long on the trenches.
Speaker 1:That game meant everything and I promise you it means so much to the people of Oklahoma but it does for Texas fans as well. Texas has the toughest. That's why I think they're going to win this game this week On Saturday, the 120th one. It's sustainability. But this game, weird things happen. Absolutely strange things happen in this game and I'm a firm believer that you can win this game on your conduct, pre-game and in the tunnel. Oh, if the walls of that tunnel at the cotton bowl stadium could talk. It's changed over time. There's now a cover over the tunnel. Oh, you fans lying. They're on top of the tunnel, they're on the.
Speaker 1:Texas feels hate, but run to the love to the other end zone. Oklahoma fans are legit, proud, loud and their true hate for Texas. It's a beautiful thing. It's a beautiful part of college football. We've even heard the name change from Red River rivalry Red River shootout. It's whatever you want it to be, because sometimes it is a shootout and it has been, and even Steve Sarkeesian's years 2021, two, three and now four and 20. It's, they've been one score games other than UT's 49-0 route, the worst loss OU's ever received. Keep in mind.
Speaker 1:Ou has dealt Texas some really beatdowns while Mack Brown was head coach. I mean beatdowns. How did that happen? Can't explain it. But I'll tell you one thing it's really not turnovers in this game which determines the outcome. It's who is more physical and who runs the ball better Go back and look at the history, especially since 2018. Texas won that game and they had 105 more rushing yards. I mean, go to 2021.
Speaker 1:Ou won that game, came back from being down so much. Texas had a three-score lead. Ou had 211 more rushing yards than Texas. It's who's tougher, who wants it more? Who's going to push the line of scrimmage? Who is tougher, who gets the leverage? And you're going to see some plays you've never seen before so far this season by both sides In this game, in the Texas D-line bully, that OU offensive line. Can Texas do something to that defense other than Tennessee? Tennessee was kind of conservative and they won. Ou's defense is legit now. Ou's defense is legit now. Oh, use, defense is legit.
Speaker 1:Man, I'm excited. I'm excited my 19th red river robbery and again and it's a reunion for me because I see so many people from that oklahoma side who are like family to me, who are friends for life to see it from both sides. It's phenomenal. It is phenomenal. And that tunnel, it's unreal. Go back and listen to the past.
Speaker 1:Rush with Stevie Lee. He talks about it. We may have an old school Longhorn who made a historic play coming up on a soon episode soon this week and we're going to have a couple more episodes before the game on saturday, which is moving to 30. Thank god, unreal, yeah, and I'll wait and I'm excited for you and it's even fun to watch it at home. I promise you that. So whenever you have an opportunity, go to our social media, let's talk red river rivalry, let's talk about it, I don't care what side you're on. Boomer sooner, hook them horns. It's beautiful, and that's why, whenever you have a chance to talk about uh, any conversation about the red river robbery on either side of the red river, you know what it's always good to talk about.