DALLAS — The storied Red River Rivalry will reportedly start at a later time this season, according to college football insider Brett McMurphy.
McMurphy on Thursday morning reported that the traditional 11 a.m. kickoff time for Oklahoma vs. Texas will shift to 2:30 p.m. Central Time this upcoming season. The annual showdown, which is held at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas each October, has periodically kicked off at 2:30 p.m. But for the most part, the game is held in the 11 a.m. window, the first of the day on the college football slate.
That appears to be changing this year, which will also mark the teams' first matchup as members of the Southeastern Conference.
McMurphy jokingly said the move will give fans more time to get "prepared" for the game, a nod to the packed tailgating scene at the State Fair of Texas. The rivalry typically draws over 100,000 fans to Fair Park, within and surrounding the Cotton Bowl. The game produces one of the more unique settings in sport: A massive college football game, smack dab in the middle of a crowded state fair.
While the 11 a.m. game required fans to get moving toward Fair Park early in the morning, they'll now have more time to take in the surroundings and get "prepared," as McMurphy said. For better or worse.
