We’re 23 days from Colorado State. I can almost hear the beautiful blast of the first whistle, taste the first shot of Fireball — as is tradition at the start of every game — and feel the first roar erupting from my chest as Texas break the plain. But, there’s some games that we relish more than others.
Texas isn’t short of rivalries. Every week this year we’re going to have a target on heads. We’ll want to be pounded into the ground. Every team will be looking to make us chumps. I’m confident that won’t happen, but that won’t stop every other organization wanting it.
The first rivalry game I watched was the blowout Red River Shootout two years ago. The Sooners taken to the cleaners. 49 – 0. Lovely. It was actually one of the first games I watched in full. Stephanie (my partner) was watching in Texas with her family, me at home here in the UK. I wanted nothing more than to be in Austin joining in the festivities.
Roll on 12 months later, we lose a heartbreaker. Oklahoma beat us by 4. After beating Alabama earlier in the season, and the pounding we gave OU the year prior, I was more excited for that game than ever. Relishing the rivalry, the neutral ground, and the tantalising prospect of celebration. It wasn’t to be. I enjoyed that game despite the result, bitter though I still am that the rivalry game was the one notch against us in an otherwise immaculate season.
This year we go toe-to-toe with the Sooners and the Aggies. It’s my first time getting to watch us play our foes in the famous Texas Fight. I’m buzzing. I’m also nervous. I’ve learnt my lesson from last year.
It got me thinking; why do rivalries rile us up? Why does it mean so much more? Where do they come from?
The Sooners rivalry goes back to 1908, an Oklaholman politician pissing off the people of Texas. The Lone Star Showdown no more than being the two oldest, historic colleges in the State. Whatever the origin, the desire to destroy the opposing team burns deep over generations through nothing more than “it’s always been this way”. Human conditioning trumping all.
We’re in for some absolute doozies this season. I want us to win every game. But no more than these two. I want the pride, glory, and gloating rights that these games come with for a full year. I want it all. We all do.
It’s 8pm. And OU still sucks.
Hook ’em.
Hooked: UT Football through a UK lens. 
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