College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Parnell Motley (11) and Texas Longhorns wide receiver Collin Johnson (9) battle for the football that falls for an incompletion during the AT&T Red River Showdown between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 14, 2017 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

10. Texas vs. Oklahoma

One of the most unique structural characteristics of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas is both locker rooms empty into one tunnel. Therefore the players enter the field through the same way. More than once when Texas and Oklahoma prepared to charge onto the field, both teams stared at each other eye to eye. This is only the beginning of what will be another chapter in a historical rivalry, which dates all the way back to 1900.

These adjacent cross-state neighbors hold a dislike for each other the size of Texas itself and tempers have flared over many times on those Friday nights before the game. It only adds more fuel to the fire for Longhorn fans to see many Oklahoma grads living in Texas, lured by jobs in the petroleum industry.

Texas football talent has also headed to Norman, especially when Barry Switzer was recruiting the state’s blue chips. Brian “The Boz” Bosworth was one of these prospects and it helped that he also held huge disdain for Texas. He once said, “Burnt orange makes me puke.”

While so much might happen before kickoff, the game rarely disappoints. Although there have been several blowouts over the years, including a 55–17 Sooner domination in 2011, the action often lives up to the hype.

Last year No. 12 Oklahoma was in the middle of a championship run, but the 3-2 Longhorns gave them all they could handle. After falling behind 20-7, Texas rallied in the second half and led 24-23. However, Baker Mayfield responded with a touchdown strike to Mark Andrews and the Sooners won in the final minutes. If another great game ensues this season, this will be one fans will want to have circled on their calendars.