When Oklahoma and Texas joined the SEC in 2024, they brought with them the Red River Rivalry to add to what was already a stacked slate of rivalries for the conference. Some of the greatest rivalries in all of college football are between two programs in this conference, and although it's new to the SEC now, where does the Red River Rivalry rank among those great rivalries in the conference?
5. Lone Star Showdown (Texas vs. Texas A&M)
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons might claim the Lone Star Showdown means more to the Longhorns than the Red River Rivalry, but there’s no comparing a rivalry that didn’t even exist for 13 years before finally returning as an SEC matchup in 2024. Regardless, now that it’s back, this in-state rivalry still belongs in the top 5, especially since both programs are now real College Football Playoff contenders.
4. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (Georgia vs. Florida)
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is another annual clash at a neutral site in Jacksonville between two programs whose states border each other. Florida is struggling right now, but this is usually a game between two serious SEC contenders that has a massive impact throughout the conference and all of college football.
3. Egg Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State)
We know firsthand in Oklahoma that in-state rivalries are a dying tradition, so it’s nice to see one, no matter the state of the programs, where there’s still real hate within the borders. Neither of these programs will reach the level, at least not consistently, as the likes of Oklahoma or Texas, but even when one or both of these programs are down, this is still a game that’s hard to ignore because you never know what will happen and you know it will be entertaining.
2. Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn)
The biggest uproar will come from the Iron Bowl not topping this list. There’s no denying it’s one of the best rivalries in the country and has provided college football fans with unforgettable memories. However, other than a few great upsets, this rivalry has mostly been one-sided in Alabama’s favor since 2008. Unless Auburn turns things around quickly, this hasn’t been a must-watch game every season anymore.
1. Red River Rivalry (Oklahoma vs. Texas)
A site dedicated to the Oklahoma Sooners obviously might be biased, but nothing tops a full Cotton Bowl split right down the middle between crimson and burnt orange. And there’s no scene more unique, no matter the campus, than a marquee college football game in the center of a state fair.
Even when one program seems to be thriving as the other falters, this game is still always a must-see that either team can win, and that won’t change anytime soon, 126 years later (even before Oklahoma was a state).
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