We’ve hit early October on the calendar and that means one very big thing is on the college football docket: The Red River Rivalry.
The annual meeting between bitter Big 12 rivals Oklahoma and Texas at the Cotton Bowl surrounded by the latter’s state fair should be at top of every fan’s bucket list even if they don’t have a rooting interest involved. While it seems like every season the Longhorns and Sooners have conference and national title implications on the line, this year is even more special given that it is presumptive Heisman Trophy favorite Jalen Hurts’ first edition.
Make no mistake, Hurts is no stranger to either side as a Texas native but this will be the first time he’ll be suiting up for OU and jogging out onto the field surrounded by an evenly split orange/crimson Cotton Bowl. So with that being said, is the signal-caller anxious or nervous about everything that goes into the game?
Well no, it doesn’t appear so:
Jalen Hurts asked about the Red River game: “I played in the Iron Bowl. I’ve played in big games. Think I’ll be alright.”
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) October 5, 2019
We’re sure even some Sooners fans will take a little exception at how Hurts portrays the rivalry, which is among the best in the entire sport for the environment it takes place in. Still, it probably doesn’t rise to the level of bitterness that there is in the other big game the QB is referring to.
Speaking of the Iron Bowl, Hurts went 2-1 against Auburn while he was an Alabama quarterback -- starting for both a win and a loss with the Crimson Tide. He’ll only have one crack at the burnt orange on Saturday though and it will be a lot more interesting to hear his thoughts on the game afterwards and see how he compares the two then.