Oklahoma vs Texas: Neutral Field Gives Longhorns the Advantage over Sooners

The Red River Rivalry game pitting the University of Oklahoma against the University of Texas was first played in 1900. This matchup is an early season mainstay of the college football world and is eagerly anticipated by not only fans of both gridiron giants, but also by much of the rest of the country.

This grudge match is a hard-fought contest that, since 1929, is rather unique as both sides claim (Texas more so) that it is held on a "neutral" field that happens to be at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas—one of the largest cities in Texas—during the middle of the Texas State Fair.

I'm pretty sure Oklahoma has a state fair of its own with rickity rides, rigged games, over-priced food, has-been bands, and plenty of people wearing outfits that make you say "what were they thinking," just like in Texas.

I know, I know, plenty of Oklahoma fans will disagree with me.

I know that playing this annual game in Texas may help the Sooners on the recruiting trail when they foray into this hotbed of high school football talent to raid the state of some of its best players.

I also know that many OU fans live in the Dallas area or just enjoy the yearly fall trip into enemy territory.

They may even use the Longhorns' favorite argument that since the Cotton Bowl stadium itself is split evenly between fans for each team, then it truly is a "neutral" field.

Obviously they use a different dictionary in Texas because that is not the definition of neutrality according to Daniel Webster. For some inexplicable reason, my idea of a true neutral setting would mean that neither side would have the advantage of playing in their home state.

Merely allowing Oklahoma fans to travel to Texas to purchase as many tickets at Texas gets does not hide the fact that the location itself is clearly in Bevos' pasture. Prisons are filled with more inmates than guards, but that does not make them a country club for criminals. 

Is it just me or does this arrangement, much like the history of the Big 12 Conference itself, seem a tad slanted in the Longhorns' favor?

I am a realist. I know this "neutral" field arrangement is not likely to change any time soon. Maybe it should never change.

But I am also not stupid. Don't pee on my back and tell me its raining.