Outside of debating the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, everybody’s favorite offseason topic is the kickoff time for the Red River Shootout.
Texas-Oklahoma has been playing at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since the 1932 season. Traditionally, the game has kicked off during the 11 a.m. or 2:30 window. For years, fans have been asking for a night game between the two bitter rivals.
Even players want in on the action.
For the first time since the 2017 matchup, ESPN will get to broadcast Texas-OU. Fox used the rivalry as their Big Noon Kickoff from 2018-2020, but the worldwide leader has yet to announce a start time for the 2021 edition.
Texas cornerback D’Shawn Jamison has begun to campaign for the later kickoff time to finally happen. “I wish the OU game was at night,” Jamison said via Twitter on Wednesday.
I wish the OU game was at night 🤔 that would be lit …..
— 🦈 (@D_JAMISON5) May 19, 2021
Now, there are multiple reasons as to why a night game could be seen as a hazard. First off, no matter when kickoff is, both Texas and Oklahoma fans are going to begin their festivities before sunrise. By 11 a.m., some can already be feeling good. Now imagine a full 12 hours.
Others will argue Fair Park would not be the safest area when the sun goes down. However, the State Fair Classic between Grambling State and Prarie View A&M kicked off at 4 p.m. in 2019. By the end of the game, it would have been dark. It can be done.
Premier games going up against Texas-Oklahoma on Oct. 9 include Auburn-Georgia, Alabama-Texas A&M (one of these will be a 2:30 CBS kickoff), and Notre Dame-Virginia Tech.
The Red River Shootout will undoubtedly the biggest and closest game of the day. Hopefully, ESPN/ABC considers scheduling a later kickoff.