College Gameday Look: Cotton Bowl

The Red River Rivalry, formerly known as the Red River Shootout, is the name for the annual college football game between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners.  It is known as the Red River Rivalry because the of the Red River that forms a boundary between Texas and Oklahoma.  This is usually one of the biggest games in the country as one or both teams have been ranked in 60 of the 65 games and 5 of the last 9 meetings have involved someone who eventually played in the National Championship Game.  Texas leads the all-time series 58–40–5, with a 45–36–4 edge in Dallas.  In 2005, the Dallas Morning News asked the 119 Division 1A football coaches to identify the top rivalry game in college football, Texas-OU ranked third behind Ohio State-Michigan and Army-Navy.

 
Since 1932, this rivalry game has been held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during the second weekend of October during the final weekend of the State Fair of Texas - the largest fair in the United States. The designated "home" team alternates from year to year, and ticket sales for the game are split 50–50 between the two schools, with the stadium divided along the 50 yard line. Historically, the Oklahoma fans have occupied the south end zone, which contains the tunnel where both teams enter and exit the field.

Though I'd suggest a weekend of tailgating and hitting up this famous state fair, some people want more.  If tailgating and the fair arent enough (or are too much for you) I'd suggest hitting up The Meridian Room. This Expo Park staple has the look of an old speakeasy with lots of polished wood, low lighting, a long mirror-backed bar and a row of booths against the exposed brick. Along with excellent food, the joint has a well thought out beer selection.  Located only a half mile from the stadium this could be an easy stop on your way.  If a bar is all you want, stop by the Uptown Bar and Grill.  If you're at Uptown Bar & Grill for one reason--to get a little soused--you're in luck, since it, like any decent bar, offers a great selection of spirits and beer. But if you need something solid in your tummy to soak up all the alcohol, Uptown has a wide selection of bar-food favorites plus more eclectic choices.

Other Things to do in Dallas
-Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
-Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
-Billy Bob's Honky Tonk
-Dallas Museum of Art

Other Sports Events
-Friday: Boston Bruins @ Dallas Stars - 7:30pm
-Saturday: Cleveland Cavilers @ Dallas Mavricks - 7:30pm