College football realignment forced some of the sport's great traditions to end, while others, such as the Apple Cup, look a bit different now. One tradition involving two teams in a new conference isn't going anywhere.
Texas and Oklahoma will still play their annual "Red River Rivalry" game after their move to the SEC, and the first SEC edition of the matchup is set for Saturday as the Longhorns try to avenge last season's heartbreaking loss.
The game and the location haven't changed, but one key detail has: Texas and Oklahoma will kick off at an unusual time after starting at noon ET each year since 2008.
Here's why you need to wait an extra handful of hours to see the Longhorns and Sooners kick off.
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Texas vs. Oklahoma start time, explained
Texas and Oklahoma traditionally kick off at noon ET or 11 a.m. CT, but the game will instead start at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT). The move to the SEC is the reason.
The SEC typically schedules its biggest games in later windows, often either 3:30 p.m. ET or in prime-time, and the "Red River Rivalry" is a game that will attract massive attention regardless of how Texas and Oklahoma are performing.
The game will still be broadcast on ABC, as the SEC no longer has a deal to put its showcase games on CBS, but the start time will come during a more traditional window for the conference's premier matchups.
Noon ET games are standard in college football, but because of the time zone difference, part of the Texas vs. Oklahoma tradition was that morning start time in Dallas. Now, fans will at least have some more time to enjoy the state fair before flooding into the venue for what should be another bitter matchup between these two rivals in a new conference.
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Where is Texas vs. Oklahoma played?
The "Red River Rivalry" has been played at the Cotton Bowl since 1932. The game coincides with the State Fair of Texas each year.
The Longhorns and Sooners meet in the middle for their annual matchup, as Dallas is about a three-hour drive from Norman and at least a three-hour drive to Austin. The Cotton Bowl is also split evenly with Texas fans on one side and Oklahoma fans on the other.
Despite a tough loss last season, it's Texas that enters the showdown with championship expectations after a 5-0 start to the year. It's the first time the Longhorns have been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the "Red River Rivalry" since 1984; the result of that game was a tie.
The last time #Texas was No. 1 heading into the Red River Rivalry:
— Blake Munroe (@BlakeMunroeOTF) October 7, 2024
Sark was 10 years old
Gas was $1.20 a gallon
A loaf of bread was $0.66
A new car cost around $6,300
A stamp was $0.20
Ronald Reagan was the President
Minimum wage was $3.35/hr
“Freedom” by Wham! was the #1 hit pic.twitter.com/QmhiSYcsbd
The start time may be different, but the setting isn't. Texas and Oklahoma will still do battle with the state fair as the backdrop, setting the stage for an all-around exciting day in Dallas as two familiar fan bases converge as first-time SEC members.
